By Sharon Akose
The phenomenon of ‘side chicks’ – women who engage in relationships with men already committed has become a subject of open discussion across Kenya, sparking debates on morality, economics, and modern love.
For 26-year-old Mercy (not her real name), the choice to become a ‘side chick’ was not born out of luxury, but necessity.
“Life is expensive, and sometimes you accept a relationship that provides financial stability, even if you’re not the main woman,” she admits.
Her experience mirrors that of many young women who view these relationships as survival tactics in a tough economy.
Men, on the other hand, often describe the experience as thrilling yet draining.
A Kisumu-based businessman confessed, “It feels like living a double life. There is the excitement of being with someone younger and adventurous, but the constant fear of being exposed makes it stressful.”
Experts attribute the rise of the ‘side chick’ culture to economic struggles, the glamorization of “soft life” on social media, and shifting social values.
Psychologist Dr. Jane Alusa notes that while some relationships appear beneficial in the short term, they frequently leave behind scars of betrayal, broken families, and deep emotional wounds.
Despite the risks, many young women remain attracted to the lifestyle drawn by financial perks, vacations, and lavish gifts.
However, testimonies suggest that the glitter eventually fades, and most ‘side chicks’ rarely secure long-term stability.
The question begs, “are ‘side chicks’ opportunists chasing luxury, victims of a harsh economy, or simply a reflection of cracks in society’s understanding of love and commitment?”
According to nutritionist Nduta wa Muniu, a man rarely leaves his wife for a side chick because wives are “legacy, structure, and respect.”
‘Side chicks,’ she says, are entertainment, distraction, and an escape room he sneaks into before running back home.
“When the wife stops fighting and simply walks away, the ‘side chick’ loses her entire identity. She goes from feeling special to being treated like the disposable tissue she always was — used, tossed, and replaced with another cheap brand,” she wrote in a recent post on Facebook.
The urged ‘side chicks’ to get over the irrational belief that “he will leave his wife for me,” branding it “biggest scam side chicks sell themselves.”