The Kenyan government has initiated a significant overhaul of its marriage registration process aiming to boost revenue through increased administrative fees.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has issued a directive mandating that all marriage certificates for existing unions be submitted within a 30-day timeframe. This announcement, published on September 3, also requires marriage registrars to scan and upload certificates within 14 days. The government’s strategy extends beyond mere record-keeping as it seeks to monetize these processes. A tenfold increase in marriage processing fees has been proposed, potentially raising the cost from Sh5,000 to Sh50,000 for couples.
This dramatic hike is part of a broader initiative to generate additional revenue through administrative charges with the Treasury targeting Sh55.8 billion in the next fiscal year, a substantial increase from the current Sh28.3 billion. The directive has placed considerable pressure on marriage registrars and officiants. They are now required to ensure that all marriage certificates are promptly submitted to the Registrar of Marriages in Nairobi regardless of the type of union. This requirement applies to civil, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, and customary marriages.
The Marriage Act Cap 150 outlines the legal responsibilities of those conducting marriage ceremonies including the proper completion and signing of certificates by all parties involved. However, this new policy has not been without controversy. Religious leaders and marriage officiants have voiced concerns about the practicality of these requirements, citing logistical challenges and the increased financial burden on couples. Many argue that the steep fee increase is disproportionate and may discourage couples from formalizing their relationships.
Additionally, questions have been raised about the administrative capacity to handle the increased volume of marriage certificates given the short timeframes for processing and the limited resources available to registrars. The government’s approach to increasing revenue through administrative fees has been met with criticism for placing an undue burden on citizens. The debate continues as Kenyans await further developments and potential adjustments to the new policy.
Supply and demand. When…
Supply and demand. When price goes high people look for alternative. People will be doing traditional marriage where you take a fraction of cows and sheep requested.
50,000 to formalize a…
50,000 to formalize a marriage this Ruto government is just too greedy.Throw a party for friends and family instead of handing that money to the government so that Murkomen can flash his latest watch and custom made suit
If you are lucky enough to…
If you are lucky enough to partner with a trustworthy, honest,hardworking,beautiful,respectful,and loving -you for- who- you -are, spouse,you can avoid marriage certificate all together,and have a blissful union;even a blessed one. Just have a lawyer draft something mutually beneficial that is legal and cheap.–The challenge is getting such a partner,and it is this “uncertainty” that the emotionless and unscrupulous government is taking advantage of.It is a grand shame and scam. Instead of the government figuring ways to make people live happily ever after(deduce tax), they are crafting a’bill” to extract extra cash for merely publicly stating that “this is my wife”
If marriage is a good thing,and divorce is a “bad” thing,then lets shift that”tax to divorces”.And for extra revenue since that’s what the gava wants, let’s legalize same sex marriage and get some more sin-tax revenue.Come on now, let’s not pretend that homosexuality does not exist in Kenya. Heck south africans have legalized homosexuality.They are africans just like us-Kenyans,or are they?
Iam beginning to think that money is truly the root of all sorts of evils,and the government is the biggest recipient,and active participant in the sinning.
Taxes are becoming a joke in…
Taxes are becoming a joke in Kenya?
What will the marriage tax be used for?
No tax without representation.
What is that need in marriage that has called for a tax.
We all know the motor vehicle tax is for building roads, which the government has failed to do.
What has happened to justify marriage tax? Is this tax same as ” hut tax” that the colonial government used to collect?
Is the government working to interfere with private life in Kenya?
Traditional marriages are just that. They are cultural and cannot and should not be taxed.
The traditional marriages do not have to be publicized. Let colonization try to slowly interfere and we will all fall back to our local languages, culture and traditions and leave the gready mirror image of the colonial government behind.
All Kenyan communities are free to practice their cultures without interference by the government. This is in the constitution.
In each community:
Birth, Circumcision,marriage and death should not be monetized. Those are cultural rights of passage. In marriage, where is the government needed? Each community has its ways. Government does not help marriage in any way. In fact even language and part of education belongs to the community.
All the cultural rights are carried
out in local languages and customs.
Government is only needed where communities cannot perform by themselves and we need things done together.
1. Roads
2. Part of education
3. Healthcare
Everything else the government must leave every individual and community to do what they do best and promote their languages and their cultures per the constitution. If the ” Constitution” is to interfere in cultures, we all need to revisit that constitution and change it.
Again ” No tax without an explanation of why and for what purpose ”
Kenyans have had marriages…
Kenyans have had marriages even before colonialism. To Africans, marriage is not a piece of paper that you call certificate. Marriage is a communal, society celebration and joining of African families. No one needs any paper to live together and have children. Marriage is something sacred respected and revered.
No one needs a government paper or permission to marry.
Marriage is not to be interfered with by government. Kenyans don’t need to report to anyone that they got married. They are not buying what you are selling ” A piece of paper” – that paper has no meaning in African cultures.
“The directive has placed…
“The directive has placed considerable pressure on marriage registrars and officiants”(Please note no metion of brides and grooms).Yeap- keep loading the wagon don’t worry about the horse or mule…
At least Officiants who are pretty much preachers,and ministers of the word of God are ,voicing concern.But I am not sure how sincere they are. Are they concerned about reduction of perks,and wedding fees that will go down,or are they truly concerned about people foregoing tying the knot the profitable way they have come to be accustomed to?
Who said financial bill 2024…
Who said financial bill 2024 is dead!!! Just get the wazee from both sides of the family to sign a document acknowledging the marriage and have it notarized. Gova can go eat their marriage certificates. It’s time to circumvent government BS services. Western white peoples puppets have destroyed the education system, healthcare, economy, & now are after marriages. Jesus come quickly and get this end of the world over with. Things will never get any better.