The High court has suspended the new Marriage Act. PHOTO | FILE
A High Court in Nairobi on Thursday suspended the new Marriage
Act that required clergymen to seek new licenses by November 1 before
presiding over weddings.
The Court suspended the Act
pending hearing and determination of a suit by Bishop Mark Kariuki who
argued that the law was discriminatory.
Bishop Mark
Kariuki, who is the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) chair, together
with the East African Center for Law and Justice argued that since
failure to comply with the set requirements on the already scheduled
date would result to cancellation of church licenses, it will be
impossible for thousands of Kenyans to celebrate and legalize their
marriages.
RENEW LICENSES
The Marriage Act had set November 1 as the deadline for clergymen to renew their licenses and their marriage certificate books.
“All
licensed ministers of faith who fail to fulfil the requirements will
have their existing licences cancelled,” Attorney-General Githu Muigai
said in the gazette notice.
Churches were also required
to submit authentic records documenting all marriages that are
scheduled to be conducted before the November 1 deadline.
This should be accompanied by a list of the exact number of marriage certificates to be retained for that purpose.
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