Kenyan Father Shocks In-Laws After Asking for Sh7 Bride Price for Daughter

A 63-year-old father from Tana River County shocked her would-be in-laws after he asked for a bride price of less than Sh10 for his daughter.

Daily Nation reports that the man identified as Hussein Maro demanded Sh7 only as dowry for his daughter from the groom’s entourage, leaving them dumbfounded.

“My fellow elders, it is a great joy to have my daughter married to a good family. Therefore, as my daughter and I had already agreed, we shall take seven shillings,” Maro is quoted as saying during the dowry negotiation meeting.

The groom’s uncle said they were expecting a surprise as his nephew’s wife-to-be had previously hinted at it. 

He admitted that they were shocked by the low bride price demanded by Maro, with some wondering whether witchcraft had something to do with it.

"You know when you are used to a tradition where parents demand their sweat from their son-in-law for educating a child, such requests look like aspects of witchcraft, so you have to be cautious," the groom’s uncle told Daily Nation, adding that they had prepared to offer a huge amount.

On her part, Maro’s wife backed her husband’s decision saying: "If the man promises he will love, respect and take care of his daughter, he weighs the words from his heart. If he feels they are genuine, then he accepts. If he feels they are not, he will turn down the man." 

The groom accepted the dowry demand made by Maro after he was asked for consent with his entourage managing to raise Sh6 among themselves. 

The ceremony had to be briefly delayed after the groom's brother was sent to the shop to fetch the remaining one shilling.