Soy MP David Kiplagat has started a conversation to discourage the practice of paying dowry with a herd of cattle, which is common in some communities.
According to Kiplagat, some communities demand up to 90 cows from young men struggling to make ends meet.
The lawmaker says he hopes it will be passed into law. He said the move will deter suitors from engaging in criminal activities in order to pay dowry. "Instead of cows, the two families can agree on symbolic gifts such as lesos, cooking oil, and other gifts because marriage should not be commercialised," Kiplagat said.
The MP said in some areas, the demand for cows as dowry payment is to blame for banditry, and that passing the bill through Parliament could reduce the vice by half.
Empower young men
"Discouraging dowry payment with cows will also economically empower young men. The current method is insufficient for marriage security," he said. Marriage institutions should not be judged based on whether or not dowry was paid, but under customary law, a certificate is sufficient to prove the union.
Kiplagat said if his idea is adopted, it will not allow randy men to use and dump women. "In some areas, young men engage in cattle rustling and raiding because they have been asked for large herds of cattle but do not have any," he explained.
He used a recent screenshot from a certain community in which it was claimed that a man was forced to part with more than 80 cattle heads.
For girls who have received a university education, the lawmaker contends that the families from which such women come should not be used to exploit suitors.
"Girls should not be sold, even if they have two university degrees," he adds, "because marriage should not be commercialised".
However, Bishop Samuel Njiriri of the Stewards Revival Church, criticised the MP, saying the Bible supports dowry payment and that we cannot avoid Kenyan culture. "The issue arises when dowry payment is commercialised, because human beings cannot be purchased," Njiriri said.
Attracts blessings
He said dowry payment is a token of appreciation that attracts blessings in the long run.
"The MP's idea is far-fetched because Kenyan culture is unique and every community has its own way of doing things," he says. "I encourage the lawmaker to come up with another bill, such as how to punish men who clobber their wives."
According to Rev James Bassy, the Chairman of Talai Council of elders, there is no problem in monetising dowry as long as all parties are in agreement. He said with the changing times, communities need to adjust too.
"Land resource is diminishing and most families no longer keep livestock in large numbers. Some families also live in urban areas hence if families agree in terms of money instead of livestock in dowry, then there is no problem," said Bassy.
Nyandiko Ongadi, a luo elder, said payment of dowry by cows is a long-held tradition that should continue.
