Kenya Gov't Orders All Married Couples to Get Marriage Certificates by August 1st

The government has directed that those intending to tie the knot under customary law will be required to first seek authorization from the government.

The new orders issued by Attorney General Githu Muigai means those in unions made under customary or Hindu ceremonies must now register their unification by August 1st.

"Parties who wish to contract customary marriage from the operative date herein must obtain prior authorization from the Office of the Registrar of Marriages. Marriage certificates shall be issued to parties upon successful application," said the AG in a Gazette notice.

"Parties who wish to enter into Hindu marriage must obtain prior authorization from the Office of the Registrar of Marriages through a Registrar's certificate or a special license as the case may be," he said.

Further, all ministers of faith under the Hindu Religion must now "apply through the Hindu Council of Kenya to the Registrar of Marriages for a license that will allow them be able to unite couples under Hindu Marriage.

Marriage Act of 2014 recognizes four types of marriages; Christian, Muslim, Hindu, civil and customary and states that couples who get married through customary law must register their marriages with the government within three weeks.

"The parties to a customary marriage shall notify the Registrar of such marriage within three months of completion of the relevant ceremonies or steps required to confer the status of marriage to the parties in the community concerned," says the Marriage Act 2014.