Polygamy law, which allows men to marry as many women as they want, has been signed into law in Kenya by President Uhuru Kenyatta despite opposition from women’s groups. The new development in the country was confirmed through a statement by the presidency, which says "it consolidates various laws relating to marriage".
 
The marriage bill which amended existing legislation was passed by parliament last month to formalise traditional practice regarding marrying more than one person.

"Marriage is the voluntary union of a man and a woman, whether in a monogamous or polygamous union," the presidential statement added.

The initial bill had given a wife the right to veto the husband’s choice, but male members of Parliament overcame party divisions to push through a text that dropped this clause.