A Kenyan politician has called for Netflix's reality series The Polygamist to be banned, arguing that the programme promotes behaviour that could damage families and undermine the institution of marriage.

Geoffrey Mosiria, the Chief Officer for Environment in Nairobi County and a well-known public figure in Kenya, publicly criticised the streaming giant over the show's content, claiming it sends the wrong message to viewers and normalises polygamous relationships in a way that could have wider social consequences.

In a video shared online, Mosiria made his opposition to the series clear, saying:

"I want it to be banned in Kenya because it's spoiling families."

He also defended the practice of polygamy, arguing that it should not be portrayed negatively.

"If you say polygamy is bad and I'm a product of polygamy, then you mean my father made a mistake by bringing me into this world," he said.

Mosiria continued: "Polygamy is good. It's only abused by a few people."

The politician went on to claim that the programme was promoting an agenda against polygamous relationships.

"This movie is sponsored by some single ladies and some women who want to control their men, but that's not the way," he said.

Offering his own view on infidelity within relationships, Mosiria added: "If your man is cheating, look for ways of dealing with that man."

He continued: "If he's going to cheat, let him bring the woman he's cheating with, sit down and agree. Instead of cheating, marry her. That's where polygamy comes in."

Mosiria also suggested criticism of polygamy unfairly judges previous generations.

"When you say polygamy is bad, you're trying to make it look like our fathers made a mistake," he said, before concluding: "This movie should be banned completely from Kenya."

The Polygamist is a Netflix reality series that follows the lives of people involved in polygamous relationships, giving viewers an insight into the realities of sharing one partner across multiple marriages. Throughout the series, participants discuss the challenges of balancing family life, raising children, jealousy, finances and maintaining multiple relationships at the same time.

While some viewers have praised the programme for documenting a lifestyle that exists in many cultures around the world, others believe it romanticises complex relationships and overlooks the emotional difficulties they can create.

Since its release, the series has generated widespread debate across social media, with supporters arguing it simply reflects the personal choices of consenting adults, while critics believe it risks encouraging unhealthy attitudes towards marriage.

Mosiria's comments have only fuelled that conversation further, with many questioning whether banning a television programme is an appropriate response.

Many social media users disagreed with the politician, arguing that individuals, not television programmes, are responsible for their own actions and relationships.

One person commented:

“I know a lot of men watched that show and couldn’t believe they were watching themselves LOOL!”

Another wrote:

“TV shows don’t destroy marriages, people’s choices do! Anyway, lemme go watch this show.”

A third added:

“Man wants it banned because it touched a nerve! Move man LOL”

Others, however, supported Mosiria's concerns, arguing that reality television can influence attitudes towards relationships and shape how viewers perceive marriage and family life.

At the time of writing, Netflix has not publicly responded to Mosiria's calls, and there has been no indication that The Polygamist will be removed from the platform in Kenya. Despite the criticism, the controversy has only drawn more attention to the series, with many people now watching it to decide for themselves whether it offers a realistic look at polygamy or simply a provocative take on modern relationships.