Many people typically take to social media to share heartwarming tributes to the special women in their lives on Mother’s Day.
Most men praise their wives and mothers, while women also pour their hearts out online, some congratulating themselves for being strong mothers, others sharing emotional messages about their mums and maternal figures.
But one man from Chebiemit in Elgeyo Marakwet County made a rather audacious move.
Hilary Kiplimo, popularly known as Hilarious Kiplimo, captured the attention, and admiration, of the Internet with two eye-catching Mother’s Day posts.
Kiplimo, a well-known Master of Ceremonies and DJ, wished a happy Mother’s Day to his two women, in separate but equally affectionate posts. One post celebrating his wife of 11 years and another one equally praising his other woman.
In an era where most men publicly acknowledge only their legally recognised partners, Kiplimo’s decision to praise both women boldly and openly stunned many of his followers.
Those who knew him were caught off guard, unaware that the charismatic entertainer had two wives. But Kiplimo made it unmistakably clear: both women were his spouses, and each deserved his recognition.
On social media, he earned widespread admiration for his honesty and bravery. Some even urged him to take up the honorary role of co-chair of the next men’s conference, a tongue-in-cheek nod to his fearless approach.
“Your love is the greatest gift I have ever received. You complete me in ways I never thought possible. Thank you for being an amazing wife and a wonderful mother to my children. You have such a beautiful way of showing love, and I am so thankful for the light you bring into my life… Happy Mother’s Day my beautiful wife Doris Kim,” the message to the first wife read in part.
The second tribute mirrored the first, only this time addressed to Brigid, the younger woman in his life.
Online forums and local websites across Elgeyo Marakwet and beyond lit up with praise for Kiplimo’s unconventional transparency.
Ordinarily, men refer only to their legal wives in public, while ‘the other woman’ remains a closely guarded secret, often known only to a few trusted male friends who help sustain the clandestine affair.
But Kiplimo told The Nairobian that he had found a way to make his relationship public without destabilising his marriage or creating chaos at home.
He recalled how six years ago, he fell in love with Brigid Kosgei, a pharmacist. At the time, his wife Doris Kimutai was furious when she heard rumours of the affair.
“I sat down with my first lady and we talked about my affair with Brigid. I approached my first wife with a lot of humility and eventually she agreed to the idea of us having a second wife in the home,” Kiplimo says.
Kiplimo says he persuaded Doris by explaining how much joy he would derive from having both women as wives and promised he would treat them equally.
True to his word, he claims to have struck a careful balance. Each of his wives has two children with him, a boy and a girl.
“At first, it was difficult for Doris to accept the idea but later on she agreed and told me to assure her that I would treat all of them equally. By that time (six years ago), we already had one child with the youngest wife and now each of them has two kids.
“After the first wife accepted the idea of a co-wife, I embarked on the second step, which was to unite the two women and during the process, I explained to them the idea of a united family and why they should be peaceful co-wives,” says Kiplimo.
According to the MC, polygamy runs deep in his family history. Both his great-grandfather and grandfather had three wives each and were known for caring for their spouses well.
“I am happy that my two wives are talking to each and have become friends. I have two homes, one in Marakwet West and another in Eldoret. Doris lives in Marakwet and Brigid prefers to stay in Eldoret. When I don’t show up in one of the homes, they call each other out of concern,” the MC says.
Kiplimo is also optimistic that his young wives will soon secure employment and help ease the burden of providing for the family.
He says Doris completed a secretarial course and is still job-hunting, while Brigid is finalising her pharmacy examinations in Nairobi.
“When Brigid completes her pharmacy course, we will have another meeting again to plan how to move forward as one united family,” he adds.
Kiplimo advises men who are having affairs to bite the bullet and face their first wives and explain to them why they need a second or a third wife.
“I learnt something when I was arguing my case before my first wife; that African women are ready to listen to their men. It is just that we, men, are not candid enough. We like doing things in secrecy. If you want to marry a second wife, just humble yourself and face your first lady and give her good reasons as to why you need another woman.
“Some men have up to 10 side-chicks but they are hiding the clandestine affairs from their wives. Let us be bold and open with our women,” the MC says.
Following his viral Mother’s Day tribute, Kiplimo says he received more than 150 phone calls, both from within Kenya and abroad.
“Kenyans in Australia, Europe and the United States called to ask how I manage two young women and celebrate them publicly,” he said.
Even his area MP, Timothy Toroitich, reached out.
“He asked whether I was serious about what I had posted or whether it was content creation. I told him I was serious. He was amused by my courage,” Kiplimo added.
On whether he accepts the pressure to become the men’s conference co-chair, Kiplimo says “I gladly accept because with my recent achievement, I can advise men on handling relationships, although I am still a young man.”
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