Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan graced his nephew's traditional wedding ceremony (ruracio) in Embu County on Saturday, August 12.
The wedding ceremony was held at a local businessman's family compound in the county, with details of the soon-to-wed couple still scanty.
Jonathan, an Ijaw (Ijo) descent, was accompanied by several dignitaries, including his Nigerian relatives from the Niger Delta region.
The wedding ceremony beautifully melded Embu and Ijaw traditions, honouring both cultures in a harmonious and joyous celebration of love.
As the guests arrived, a group of girls covered in lessos from head to toe were led out, among them the bride. The groom then picked his wife from the group, as accustomed to the Embu traditional wedding.
The groom wore a traditional Igbo wedding suit to commemorate the festive ceremony.
President (Rtd) Jonathan, while rising to speak, was flaked by the local chairman of the occasion. The politician who handed over power in May 2015 congratulated the couple and wished them a happy and prosperous marriage.
Reports indicate that the elders urged the couple always to remember their roots and be proud of their Igbo and Embu heritage.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the number of inter-nationality marriages increased by 85 per cent between 1998 and 2023.
Experts observe that this trend is likely to rise due to a number of factors, including globalisation, increased travel and tourism, and the growing number of Kenyans studying and working abroad.
However, couples in inter-nationality marriages face a number of challenges including cultural differences and language barriers.
According to the KNBS report, the majority of men are now marrying at the age of 29 as opposed to earlier years when men married at the age of 25.
While many women now prefer getting married at the age 25 as opposed to the 1980s where the average marriage age was 21.
