Kikuyu musicians Karangu Muraya, Muigai wa Njoroge and Samuel Michoki (Samidoh). Photo/Newsflash
By Georgina Mwikali
In the world of Kenyan entertainment and celebrity culture, relationships often play out in the most public ways.
Recently, gospel singer and philanthropist Karangu Muraya, his polygamous lifestyle, and the emotional toll of his troubled marriage have become the talk of the town. This saga involves love, heartbreak, and the tension that comes with balancing multiple wives.
Karangu Muraya: The polygamous singer and his strained marriage
Karangu has always been admired for his philanthropic efforts and his contributions to gospel music. However, his personal life recently became the center of controversy.
On Valentine’s Day, while millions were celebrating love, Karangu made headlines for a completely different reason. His estranged first wife, Triza Njeri, who is also known as Mama Esther, went live on TikTok to share her emotional journey, revealing how her marriage to the singer had fallen apart.
In an emotional TikTok live session, Triza spoke openly about the depression and pain she had endured since Karangu married his second wife, Carol Kim, in 2024. “I am not in a marriage,” Triza tearfully confessed, stating that she had been living with Karangu for the sake of their children but was emotionally detached.
“I am only here for the kids,” she added, explaining that despite their separation, Karangu still visited to see their children. Her emotional revelation went viral, with many sympathising with her struggle. Some even rallied to her cause, raising KSh 500,000 for a trip to Dubai.
Despite this outpouring of public support, Karangu responded to his critics, making it clear that he valued his family’s privacy and would not air their issues on social media.
“There are some things that I will never do. Anything concerning my children, my wives, and anything personal about my life, I will never speak about them on social media,” he said.
Karangu’s statement seemed to be a defense against those who were quick to label him a narcissist following Triza’s revelations.
He urged his critics to focus on their own lives instead of attacking him. “When the time comes for me to speak on these matters, you will understand that you were insulting someone who didn’t deserve it,” he added.
Muigai wa Njoroge: A journey through polygamy and heartbreak
Muigai wa Njoroge, a prominent gospel singer known for his traditional music, has also had his fair share of public relationship drama. His polygamous marriage to Njeri wa Muigai and Queen Stacey has been the subject of intense scrutiny for years. In 2021, Muigai defended his choice to marry a second wife, saying, “Me having a second wife is not a sin. Let us live our lives,” challenging critics who condemned his decision.
But Njeri wa Muigai, his first wife, eventually made it clear that their marriage had hit rock bottom.
“We tried, but it never worked,” Njeri confessed in an emotional interview in 2024.
“Anger became the danger,” she explained, revealing how their attempts to salvage the relationship had failed. Although she acknowledged Muigai as a responsible father, she admitted that the toll it took on her mental health and well-being led her to the decision to leave. “I was going back to alcoholism… I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said.
As time passed, Njeri found peace in accepting the situation. “What you cannot control, you learn to live with it. There is harmony now,” she shared, offering a message of hope to others struggling with similar challenges. Despite the painful journey, she has now come to terms with her husband’s polygamous choices, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness. “I’ve learned to live with it for my peace of mind,” she added.
Samidoh: A family divided by polygamy
In a more recent saga, Mugithi singer Samidoh, whose relationships have sparked widespread public debate, also found himself at the center of a polygamy-related storm.
In December 2023, Samidoh stirred up conversations when he announced, in a casual live session, that he was “single” and no longer practicing polygamy. “I was a polygamous man, but now I am single,” he said with a chuckle, sending fans into a frenzy.
Samidoh’s polygamous relationships have been well-documented, especially his controversial involvement with Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu. The singer, who was originally married to Edday Nderitu, has faced public confrontations with both of his partners, particularly over his interactions with Nyamu.
Edday, tired of the drama and public spectacle, eventually relocated to the United States with their children, clarifying that she was no longer married to Samidoh.
Karen Nyamu, on her part, defended her relationship, citing the legality of polygamy in Kenya. “Sheria ya polygamy iko. I have not broken any law by being in my situation,” Nyamu said, referencing Kenya’s 2014 law that formally recognises polygamous marriages.
However, despite the legal backing, Samidoh’s family remains divided, and the ongoing public spectacle has done little to quell the tension between him, Edday, and Karen.
As the stories of Karangu Muraya, Muigai wa Njoroge, and Samidoh unfold, one thing remains clear: polygamy is a complex issue that brings with it a range of emotional, psychological, and social challenges.
For Karangu, his public response to Triza’s emotional revelation emphasised his commitment to privacy, while Muigai and Njeri’s journey reflects the painful reality of accepting a polygamous marriage.
According to marital experts, the personal stories of these musicians remind us that behind the glitz and glamour, there are real people struggling with love, loss, and the search for peace in their relationships.
