Two Wives, One Home: Inside Dalmas Otieno’s Unusual Love Story
At the requiem mass of the late former minister Dalmas Otieno, mourners expected tears , but his widow, Patricia Atieno, brought both laughter and admiration as she shared the story of her remarkable, unconventional marriage.
In a candid tribute, Patricia revealed how she and her husband’s second wife, Dorothy, shared not just a man , but a home for more than 14 years.
“I lived with Dorothy ever since she got married to my husband,” she said, her tone light and unapologetic. “I gave them a room until she got her twins. And she did not move out, she still lives with me.”
Her words drew laughter and applause from the congregation, especially when she recounted how she made peace with the situation out of love and respect for her husband.
“People questioned me, but I told them , I love my husband. I didn’t want him spending nights in Rongo where Dorothy had rented a house. So I said, bring her home. We have a big house; I’ll give her a room.”
Patricia spoke fondly of her late husband, describing him as a very handsome man who naturally attracted attention.
“No woman could pass without turning to look at him,” she joked. “But I’m a born-again Christian, I don’t get jealous.”
Their story began in 1965, when they married soon after finishing school at Rapogi, where Dalmas was the boys’ head prefect and Patricia the girls’ head prefect. She recalled his charm even then, smiling as she remembered how he would send her friends to report her every move.
“He would allow me to walk ahead when we went to church and tell my friends to make sure I didn’t talk to other men,” she said warmly. “But we loved each other deeply.”
The requiem, attended by leaders including Martha Karua, Ochilo Ayako, and Evans Kidero, celebrated not only the life of a respected statesman but also the rare love story behind him.
Born in 1945 in Kangeso village, Rongo, Dalmas Otieno rose from student leader to national figure, serving as Rongo MP, Cabinet Minister, and a reformist voice in Kenya’s civil service. Known for his principles, he often chose integrity over political convenience.
As mourners reflected on his legacy, Patricia’s stories painted a fuller picture of a man who was both statesman and husband, and of a woman whose grace and humor made an unorthodox marriage work for decades.
In life, Dalmas Otieno was admired for his intellect and leadership.
In death, he is remembered, too, for inspiring a love story as bold and enduring as the man himself.
