Approve Marriage Bill, Nyeri Woman Representative Priscilla Nyokabi tells President Uhuru Kenyatta

Nyokabi has said some elements of the Marriage Bill are positive. PHOTO: COURTESY

By NDERITU GICHURE

Nyeri, Kenya: Nyeri Woman Representative Priscilla Nyokabi has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to assent to the controversial Marriage Bill.

The MP (pictured) said there was need for the law to be passed in order to affirm our culture as it carries with it positive elements within the African traditional set-up.

Polygamous unions

“It is very much an indigenous law that promotes our culture at the expense of the colonial law. It has some elements which should not be dismissed by some people just because they are not comfortable with some clauses,” she said.

She advised women who are opposed to the Bill not to hold the country at ransom.

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“The law is very considerate to the girl child as it legally sets the  minimum age for marriage at 18 years,” Nyokabi said.

She accused her counterparts of continuing to hold the country at ransom, just because of a clause that was removed requiring a man to notify his first wife about his intention to marry another wife.

“Those who do not want to be in polygamous unions have the option of getting into either Christian or civil marriages,” she said.