Why You Will Now Pay More To Get Married

Kenyans will now be expected to part with more money to have their weddings presided over by a member of the clergy.

This is after the clergy's attempt to challenge the new regulation that would see them part with increased fees and new licenses was on Wednesday dismissed by the court.

According to a gazette notice by the Attorney-General on the Marriage Act, all ministers of faith are expected to apply for renewal of their licenses, record returns of all marriages they officiated to date, present all marriage certificate books and submit church records of all marriages to be celebrated.

However, Government's directive on marriages would remain the same but the changes made to the Marriage Act are to be implemented immediately.

The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) chairman, Bishop Mark Kariuki together with the East African Center for Law and Justice, had earlier on sued the Government.

They argued that the cancellation of churches' licenses if they failed to abide by the new rule would make it hard for Kenyans to celebrate and legalize their marriages.

The changes to the Marriage Act which were supposed to be implemented by November 2014 was suspended by High Court Judge, George Odunga.

However, Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi ruled that the contents of the gazette were not discriminatory to Christians.

“I have not been able to find any violation of Christian faith. The Marriage Act requires that all marriages and ministers should be registered, hence there is no omission with a likelihood to cause discrimination,” Justice Ngugi ruled.