The Nairobian has unearthed how some married Nairobi women have illicit relationships. The women routinely and continually cheat on their husbands while using ‘chama meetings’ as a cover. Chamas, popularised in mid-2000s as micro-savings groups, are now believed to be more than 300,000 in Kenya with Sh300 billion in assets, according to Kenya Association of Investment Groups (KAIG). Of the eight women interviewed for this story by The Nairobian, three admitted to have used chama meetings as a ploy to cheat.
Four said they have friends who use chamas as an excuse and one said she has never heard of women using the meetings to cheat on their husbands. Out-of-town meetings Chamas are known for their exclusivity, and are popular with women, especially in Nairobi. New members undergo extensive interviews and must be introduced by an existing member. One of our sources revealed to us that in their chama, once a new member has been thoroughly vetted, she can join the investment group for their monthly excursions outside the city. She said even though they meet every Sunday after church service, the chama usually plans for an out-of-town meeting, where the members will use the opportunity to relax and have some ‘me-time’ away from the pressures and of being a mother and a wife.
