Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka is known for his forthright political style, but little was publicly known about his family life until recently. That changed following the death of his mother, Teresa Omoke, when it emerged that he is a polygamous man with 12 children.
However, even as mourners praised Onyonka for openly acknowledging his family, criticism surfaced online, with two women separately accusing him of being a deadbeat father.
A TikTok user identifying herself as Shaz38499 criticised the senator, alleging neglect of his children. “My baby daddy recently came out to tell the world that he is polygamous and has 12 children. I don’t understand why people are quick to applaud him. I asked him whether he knows where those children are living. He doesn’t even know their birthdays. His job is to impregnate women and walk away... I’m sure there are more than 12,” she claimed.
Another woman, Nyatichi Mogire, made similar claims on YouTube, alleging that Onyonka had abandoned a child said to be his in hospital. “I am asking Hon Richard Onyonka. You abandoned this child in hospital and never cared to know how he is doing. The Governor helped by waiving the bills. Who will help us next time?” she said, adding she had exhausted all efforts to seek support.
Senator Onyonka has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The controversy unfolded during the burial of his mother in Mosocho, Kisii County, where he was a central figure. Politicians and relatives praised him, while family members made light-hearted remarks about his multiple wives and children, joking that even the introduction list may not have been complete.
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“These are the ones who could make it today… there could be others we’ve left out,” his brother Jimmy joked, prompting laughter.
Twelve children were formally introduced at the ceremony, alongside six women named as their mothers.
However, former IEBC Commissioner Dr Roseline Akombe, whom Onyonka has previously referred to as his wife, was not listed, despite one of her sons introducing himself among the children.
At an earlier gathering, Onyonka had spoken warmly about Akombe.
“What many people do not know is that Roseline Akombe is my wife. If you look around the house, there are pictures of her with my mother,” he said.Other women named as mothers included Juliet Kerubo, Lucy Mbugua, Jean Wanjiru, Emily Marube, Beatrice Gesare and Trizah.
After the children’s introductions, his brother again joked that more children may have been absent from the ceremony.
The mood briefly shifted when Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga took the microphone and, in her tribute, revealed what she described as a youthful romantic connection with Onyonka dating back to their school days. She stunned mourners when she said he was her first boyfriend.
Throughout the ceremony, Onyonka maintained a calm, smiling demeanor, often laughing as his children interacted with mourners.