Kenyans in the Diaspora to be Allowed to Marry at Embassies

Kenyans in the diaspora will soon be able to marry at Kenyan missions in their respective countries of residence, President Ruto announced on Wednesday.

This will be realized once the Attorney General gazettes Kenyan embassies and high commissions around the world as legally-recognized places of marriage.

“The Attorney General has given concurrence that he is going to gazette our embassies as a place you can get married,” Ruto said.

Ruto, who was speaking in Kigali, Rwanda during a meeting with Kenyans living there, clarified that the marriages will be within the confines of Kenyan law. This means same-sex marriages will not be officiated even if the country of residence legally recognizes gay marriages.

“The law of Kenya will continue to apply; if you are a man, you can only get married to a woman, and if you’re a woman, to a man. That will continue to apply,” the president added.

Ruto was in Rwanda for a two-day State visit at the invitation of President Paul Kagame. The two leaders held discussions on areas of mutual interest and cooperation, including the Northern Corridor integration projects, food security, innovation and ICT, health and education. 

The visit culminated in Kenya and Rwanda signing 10 memoranda of understanding on education, ICT, gender and child development, youth, capacity development for public service, correctional services, health, diplomatic training, agriculture and cooperatives.