LSK supports Matrimonial Property Bill

By ABIGAEL SUM

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to sign into law the Matrimonial Property Bill 2013 passed by MPs last week.

They said they would rather have a law in place in its current state then push for amendments of all the contentious clauses later on.

“The amendments that were introduced on November 12 are a setback and a big loss to women. But it is better he signs the Bill into law than risk it going back to the House where it can be further mutilated,” said Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire.

Family lawyer Judy Thongori appreciated the fact that the country now had legislation that addresses matrimonial property, but faulted changes to the sharing of matrimonial property in the case of divorce.

Mbita legislator Millie Mabona took issue with the addition of the words ‘jointly owned by both parties’ in the amended Bill, terming the amendments as retrogressive.

The lawyers were speaking during a joint Law Society of Kenya and United Nations Development Fund for Women breakfast meeting at a Nairobi hotel.

She pointed out that there was need for laws that will protect women against social and cultural injustices.