Vihiga Businessman Sponsors 10 Couples To Mass Wedding: "We Fed Over 5,000 Attendants"

• Businessman Alex Malova Kidake gave 10 lucky couples from Vihiga County a headstart into marriage after paying for a mass wedding
• The event held at Ivona grounds attracted over 10,000 attendants to witness what is arguably the county's biggest event of that calibre
• Kidake, who sponsored everything from food, decorations, outfits, entertainment, honeymoon, and cars, says he did it to make people value the institution of marriage

Vihiga businessman Alex Malova Kidake, founder of the Kidake Foundation, sponsored a mass wedding ceremony that united 10 couples in holy matrimony.

The event held at Ivona Grounds saw more than 10,000 attendees who came to witness what was arguably the largest mass wedding in the county.

Kidake grew up in polygamy

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, the entrepreneur explained that the event aimed to celebrate love and address social issues affecting the community.

Born into a polygamous family, Kidake saw firsthand the challenges faced by him and his siblings due to the family structure.

"Polygamy affected every aspect of our lives including education, so much that my siblings were not able to go to school, apart from me," he stated.

This personal experience served as a driving force behind his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Everything was paid for

Kidake expressed concern about the number of children living on the streets and the devaluation of marriage.

When he made some money, he decided to sponsor people into marriage as a way of making his constituents value the institution of marriage.

"Kidake Foundation paid for everything; food for everyone, decorations, outfits, entertainment, honeymoon, and the cars. We fed over 5,000 attendants," he continued.

Apart from creating new marriages, the mass wedding was also a celebration of culture as it featured traditional food and performances from different Luyia dialects.

Marriage without worries

The comprehensive support ensured the couples could start their marital journey without the financial burdens often accompanying weddings.

Flanked by close friend and political confidante Eugene Wamalwa, Kidake also addressed the often-politicized nature of community gatherings.

He urged politicians to redirect their focus and desist from using funerals and churches to campaign.

"I would want community events to serve their intended purpose rather than becoming platforms for political agendas," he asserted.

100 new applications

After a successful first edition, Kidake says he received over 100 applications from young men and women requesting to be considered for weddings.

The event's turnout, he says, left those who wrote it as a wrong move with egg on their faces, so he decided to make it an annual event in Vihiga County on the 24th of December.

"The idea is to host the ceremony at different locations within the county each year to reach a wider audience," he concluded.

Kidake's humble beginnings

In an earlier interview, Kidake told TUKO.co.ke that he grew up in a poverty-stricken family and was written off by many who saw their upbringing.

He is the 20th-born and the only educated one among 19 illiterate siblings, thanks to his desire to change his story.

He ventured into the mitumba business and built his wealth meticulously to own a multi-million business empire.

Kidake now owns over 10 cars, a house in Dubai, another in Lavington, and a third in Nangili, Sabatia county.