Ida launches book on lasting marriages

By Ally Jamah

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife Ida on Tuesday launched a new book that seeks to enhance marriages.

The book, Marriage Built to Last has is authored by Jennifer Karina, a Kenyan relationship coach, and a motivational speaker. It seeks to address key challenges to modern marriages in Kenya, including communication and intimacy to cut soaring rates of divorce in Kenya.

The 197-page book on relationship and marriages was officially unveiled at the Serena Hotel on Valentines Day. It packs local experiences on marriages meant to strike a chord with Kenyans.

"Our youth rush into unions before being equipped with the right information and the skills they require to make their marriages sustainable. That is why we are seeing high rates of divorce in Kenya," said Ida, now in her 38th year of marriage.

Ida also lamented about the high rate of domestic violence, including the recent cases of men being battered by their wives, saying that culture must end.

Societal shame

"If you have an issue with your partner, what is the point of attacking them physically or emotionally when you can seek help from the extended family or counsellors? We need to learn how to resolve our problems," she said.

Karina said many Kenyan men are physically and emotionally abused by their wives but they do not report to the police due to societal shame.

She added that abused men lack the information to empower them to deal with the problem as well as the institutions that help them cope and resolve the issue.

"I urge men to be courageous enough to come out and deal with the problem through counselling. Remaining underground is not a solution. It only makes the abuse worse," she advised