Legal age of marriage in Kenya The legal age of marriage is 18 years.

What is considered marriage in Kenya?

1. Defines marriage as the voluntary union of a man and a woman whether monogamous or polygamous and registered in accordance with the Act. 2. Parties to a marriage have equal rights at the time of the marriage, during the marriage and at the dissolution of the marriage.

Which is the legal age for marriage?

The current minimum age of marriage is 21 and 18 for men and women, respectively in India, approved by the amendment of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 in 1978. The same is recommended by the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

Is child marriage legal in Kenya?

Both FGM and child marriage have been illegal in Kenya since 2001 when the Childrens Act became law. Other laws such as the Sexual Offences Act, 2006, the Prohibition Of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011 and the Marriage Act, 2014, which sets the age of marriage at 18 years, also protect girls from these practices.

How many wives can you marry legally in Kenya?

The practice of what is usually called polygamy, enjoys de facto and de jure legality in Kenya. It is to be understood as polygyny, however. It states in the Kenyan constitution that a man can marry more than one wife.

Can cousins marry in Kenya?

Nairobi, Kenya: It is not illegal for cousins to marry or engage in sex, the High Court has ruled even though relationships between cousins are acceptable in some communities and taboo in others. This means it is permissible to have sex with a cousin, the judge ruled.

Is adultery a crime in Kenya?

“Adultery is not a crime in Kenya as it is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than the lawful spouse. Physically attacking the man is a criminal offence and you can be charged with assault or causing grievous harm, depending on injuries inflicted.

What is the divorce rate in Kenya?

The official stated that divorce rates have risen from 10 per cent in 2019 to 40 per cent in 2021. He attributed the increase to those getting into marriage at a very young age and are unable to shoulder the responsibilities that come with such unions.

Is FGM legal in Kenya?

In 2011 Kenya passed a law that prohibits Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and imposes tough penalties on perpetrators and those abetting the practice. The law not only bans the practice in Kenya but also prohibits cross-border FGM and bars medical care givers from carrying out the practice.

Is cheating illegal in Kenya?

“Adultery is not a crime in Kenya as it is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than the lawful spouse. Physically attacking the man is a criminal offence and you can be charged with assault or causing grievous harm, depending on injuries inflicted.

How common is polygamy in Kenya?

Almost 1.5 million Kenyans - or 10 percent of the married population - are in a polygamous marriage, according to latest data from the Kenya Population and Housing Census. But womens rights groups say this a gross underestimate as most of these marriages are customary and not registered.

Why do marriages fail in Kenya?

LACK OF JOBS Many Kenyans make the mistake of joining marriage without having the required funds to sustain and make it last for long periods of time. Many people will eventually fall into the temptation of rushing into decisions and eventually coming out in regret.

How long is divorce process in Kenya?

The Kenyan divorce process is straightforward and uncomplicated. Thus, with all factors remaining constant, the process should take a maximum of 2 months from start to conclusion. The next article in this series will explain the handling of the matrimonial property once a divorce is done.

Is FGM legal?

The UNFPA estimates that at least 59 countries have passed laws against FGM, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Sweden and New Zealand. Of the 29 countries in Africa where female genital mutilation (FGM) is traditionally practiced, 26 have laws prohibiting FGM.

What is FGM in Kenya?

Almost 2,800 girls from the Kuria community in south-western Kenya have undergone FGM, which involves the removal of the outer layers of female genitalia and sometimes the clitoris, in the past three weeks, say local activists.

What is the penalty for defilement in Kenya?

(1) A person who commits an act which causes penetration with a child is guilty of an offence termed defilement. (2) A person who commits an offence of defilement with a child aged eleven years or less shall upon conviction be sentenced to imprisonment for life.

How many wives can you have in Ethiopia?

While polygamy in Ethiopia has been formally abolished in the Family and Criminal Code of Ethiopia, the practice is still common with five percent of married Ethiopian men (mostly among Muslims and pagans) having more than one wife. Several stories of polygamous groupings have made international news.

What are the reasons for polygamy?

The main purpose of polygamy in a religious group is to be able to have more children, and that means the man and his wives are expected to continue to procreate as much as possible.