Kenyan Man Takes Off with Father's Teenage Bride to Save 'Family Honor'

A 24-year-old man from Tana River County has reportedly eloped with his father’s bride-to-be, claiming the girl is too young for him.

Ahmed Golo from Magarjali village fled with 18-year-old Saada Mohammed, who was to wed Ishmael Golo, 71, after Ramadan, Nation reported.

Hassan Wario, a family member, said the elderly man had already visited Saada’s parents and paid her dowry but was unable to wed her due to the fasting period.

“He agreed with the girl’s parents that the rest of the ceremony would take place after Ramadhan, the first week after Eid,” he said.

It is alleged that the man’s children were opposed to the union, arguing that the girl was younger than their last-born but the father insisted on marrying her.

Wario said efforts to convince the children to accept their dad’s decision were in valid, leading to a family dispute.

“We tried to persuade them, but they refused. Even their mothers tried to calm them down, but they wouldn’t listen, especially the daughters,” he said.

Ahmed, the firstborn of Golo’s second wife, approached the girl and escaped with her on Tuesday as everyone was rushing to the mosque for prayers. 

“We only realized she was missing around 10 am because we could not find her, all we found was a note written in our language, but the handwriting was not hers,” said Saada’s sister Asha Fadhe.

The following day, Ahmed called home and maintained that he would not allow his father to dishonor them by marrying the teenager.

“He says he will marry the girl and have children with her before he returns home. I tried to tell him it is not right, but he says the girl has agreed and is happier that he saved her,” his mother said.

Saada’s relatives said she contacted them and informed them that she was safe.

Golo blamed his first and third wives, accusing them of inciting the children against his marriage. He has since asked the girl’s family to return the dowry he paid.