Saga of forbidden love and hidden desires among relatives

A member of Parliament is facing a tough time on the homefront for having an affair with his son's girlfriend.

It all started a few months ago when the son, in his 30s, introduced his father to his fiance, hoping to solidify their commitment through marriage. However, the father, known for his outspoken nature, dismissed the woman, deeming her too expensive for his son. He advised his son to find another partner more suitable for his financial situation.

As fate would have it, the father's initial rejection did not deter him from pursuing his desires. A few weeks later, the legislator from Western Kenya, whose identity we cannot reveal for legal reasons, and his newfound love were spotted together in public, indulging in lavish dates and intimate moments. Witnesses claim that the couple enjoyed adventures, exchanged affectionate gestures, and revelled in the pleasures that money and love could provide.

Heartbroken and betrayed, the son couldn't bear to witness his father's newfound happiness with his former fiance. Feeling trapped and desperate, he turned to his mother for support, revealing the scandalous affair and dragging her into a painful love triangle. Overwhelmed with anger and hurt, the son severed ties with his father, leaving the family in turmoil.

"Nyumbani kimeumana hakukaliki," the man told his friends as he sought ways to resolve the matter.

In an attempt to salvage his crumbling personal life, the wealthy politician resorted to extravagant gestures. He purchased a 2022 Range Rover, hoping to win back his wife's affection. He took her out for luxurious dinners, shopping sprees, and romantic trips. However, the rift seems insurmountable, and the family remains fractured.

The MP's story is not different from that of a Tanzanian actress, Frida Kajala, who was recently forced to apologise to her daughter, Paula Kajala, after they almost shared Bongo star Harmonize, real name Rajab Abdul Kahali.

 Harmonize with Frida Kajala.

Frida is said to have dated Harmonize for a couple of months in 2021, despite her daughter's protests.

The 40-year-old admitted to her daughter that she fell short in her role as a parent, adding that she acknowledged the weighty responsibility of being a guiding figure and role model in her daughter's life.

"I apologise. I feel like I have let you down as a mother. You have always looked up to me, and I realise that. We have always shared a strong bond, but I made a decision that went against your advice. I am truly sorry. It pains me now to realise there were important factors I failed to consider. I feel terrible, but I cannot change the past," Frida said.

This was after Frida reunited with Harmonize.

She went ahead to tell the therapist, "One day, she confided in me about her concerns regarding people's judgments. She feared that the negative attention could have long-lasting consequences for her life. Her words made me realise the depth of her pain."

Incestuous relationships

Marriage counsellors and psychologists shed light on the disturbing trend of incestuous relationships within families. They disclosed that engaging in intimate relationships with close relatives is becoming alarmingly prevalent in society, driven by various factors such as broken moral values, egotism, and addiction to pleasure.

Shamefully, the problem extends beyond just men; instances of mothers engaging in sexual relationships with their sons have also been reported. Experts attribute the ease of such encounters to the proximity and familiarity of living under one roof.

Interviews conducted by The Nairobian revealed chilling accounts of individuals who admitted to having sexual relations with their relatives. They confessed that the forbidden encounters are intensely pleasurable, addictive, and satisfying. The proximity during family gatherings or events creates opportunities for such encounters.

The discussion surrounding incestuous relationships sparked public outrage and concern when content creator Kabi WaJesus admitted to engaging in sexual encounters with his cousins, igniting further debate when he revealed last year that he had impregnated one of them. The revelations brought the issue to the forefront of public consciousness, forcing society to confront this dark reality.

"If not all, most of you here know what happened last year, and there was an incident of a cousin of mine coming out, and she was saying we slept together and had a child. And the reason is that, for me, before I got born again, this was not an issue, and she's not the first one. I have slept with so many others; what are you talking about? Huyo mwenye alipata mimba sasa ndio mnajua," said Kabi.

 The WaJesus family.

The truth is there are millions of people attracted to and desperately trying to sleep with blood relatives.

Mwangi, who preferred we use only one name, said that having sex among relatives is becoming easier, and in some family gatherings, family members are reminded, "Unajua XXX ni cousin yako."

Mwangi explained that he preferred sex with a certain cousin over any other woman he had met.

He described their affair as "the sweetest, addictive, and satisfying," adding that the biggest mistake was being related to her.

Mwangi revealed that they have a child, but the cousin's boyfriend believes he is his son.

"Why is it that the best things are illegal? I have had sex with my cousins, which happens frequently when we are in the village for events or any other place in extended family gatherings, and I can say they are the sweetest and easiest," Mwangi said.

Anne*, who also asked us to use one name, said that she has never enjoyed sex better than the day she had sex in a green lodging (muguka plantation) with a cousin last Christmas, when their family gathered in the village.

"I am not sure what happened, but we just found ourselves on a muguka plantation with my cousin and had some good raw hanky-panky," she said.

She added that the issue of relatives having sex among relatives has been rampant, and during their family gatherings, their parents keep reminding them that they are relatives.

"We are told to remember that we are cousins, and some people are asked not to be closer or should leave," Ann said.

Seeking help

Counsellors and experts in the field of mental health have called for greater awareness and support for those affected by this taboo subject. They emphasize that seeking help and breaking the cycle of incestuous relationships are crucial to protecting families and individuals from the harmful consequences of their actions.

Ultimate Care Links Director Loice Okelo said that she was happy that the Nairobian has picked up the discussion and that it will save many families and people.

She agreed with Mwangi that being under one roof as a brother and a sister, a mother and son, or a father and daughter makes it hard for people to suspect

"There are many reasons why relatives are having sex like some started when taking alcohol or drugs, some watched porn together, and some saw their parents having sex and tried, among others," Okelo said.

Okelo, whose organization does mental health counselling psychology, and Taylor, who makes programs for companies, said that many people were suffering after being addicted to sex with closer relatives, and they were afraid to come out for help.

"Many people are seeking help from counsellors, which is a clear indication that the problem is rampant and that it exists in society," Okello said, adding, "In fact, it has been there for more than 15 years; it is only that people are becoming aggressive and bold to show their feelings for close relatives.

"Once you start, you find it hard to stop because you are doing it in privacy," she went on, adding, "Some will claim Satan or evil is disturbing them and start fasting, and then they remain hurting inside."

They said that most start when on drugs, to massage their ego, orgasm, or just for fun, but the sweatiness of shaking sheets or making out becomes so sweet, addictive, and 'normal' due to the broken moral fabric.