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{
    "id": 417350,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/417350/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 447,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chepkong’a",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1154,
        "legal_name": "Samuel Kiprono Chepkonga",
        "slug": "samuel-kiprono-chepkonga"
    },
    "content": "the time within which marriages will be celebrated as well as for the place and the procedure to be followed in contracting a marriage. Secondly, this Bill has dedicated particular parts to various kinds of marriages. Part III of this Bill deals with the celebration of Christian marriages. The place of celebration of Christian marriages is also indicated as the place of worship or any other place that has been registered or appointed by the Minister for celebration of such marriages. The Bill provides for procedures of objection in the event that there is a party or parties who are seeking to object to two persons getting married, including even the persons who are seeking to get married. Those who are married know that one is first asked whether the man knows of any reason as to why he should not get married, even at the altar. So, the pastor gives an opportunity to the man to even refuse to get married at that very last hour. When we received memoranda from the Christian community, they objected to marriages being dealt with in the manner in which civil marriages are dealt with. They told us that Christian marriages have their own processes and procedures of dealing with issues that would cause separation or divorce in Christian marriages. So, that amendment has been proposed in the Report that the Committee has tabled in this House. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, in Part IV, the Bill deals with celebration of civil marriages. It also provides for civil marriages that can be celebrated outside this country, their gazettement and the areas where they can be celebrated. As I have just mentioned, the Bill provides for the diplomatic countries or houses or places were marriages can be celebrated outside this country. In this regard, emphasis has been given to High Commissions of our country. Part V of the Bill provides for celebration of customary marriages. As I have just mentioned, this is the first time we are codifying customary marriages. It provides for the contents of notice of customary marriages and what amounts to a customary marriage. The Bills seeks to harmonise, as much as possible, the customs of the 42 tribes of this country, by looking at what is generally acceptable. Marriages in various other tribes that have different methods and manners of celebrating their marriages can be dealt with within our legal system. Part VI of the Bill deals with celebration of Hindu marriages, and sets out the conditions of Hindu marriages. It specifies that a Hindu marriage must be solemnised by a Hindu minister, so that if that marriage is celebrated even by the Registrar of Marriages himself it becomes void. It must be celebrated in accordance with the Hindu customary law. Part VII deals with celebration of Islamic marriages. It provides for the application of Islamic law in officiating of Islamic marriages, and specifies that the Cabinet Secretary may make such other regulations as may be necessary to ensure that Islamic marriages are in conformity with the Islamic jurisprudence. One of the things that we noted when presentations were made and memoranda presented to the Committee is that there are different sects within the Islamic jurisprudence. There are those who practise polygamy and those who practise monogamy. So, an amendment will be introduced to take into account the various sects within the Islamic faith. Part VIII of the Bill provides for the appointment of persons to celebrate marriages and their registration thereof. It also provides for the appointment of the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}