This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, the Kenyan government launched online marriage services to minimize the risk of Covid-19 transmission at Sheria House.
State Law Office Chief Administrative Secretary Winnie Guchu explained that couples intending to get married will now have to complete the registration process entirely online through the eCitizen portal.
"There will be no more manual services at the registrar of marriage at Sheria House as all services will be available online," she said.
Ms. Guchu emphasized that the government wants to discourage couples from visiting Sheria House unless it is absolutely necessary.
Before the Covid-19 outbreak, Sheria House used to attend to around 400 clients during low season and 600 clients during the high season months of August and December.
However, when marriage services briefly resumed in mid-May, 1,841 couples, whose marriages were suspended, wanted to proceed with their civil wedding, causing enormous challenges at the office of the registrar of marriage.
Couples planning to do a civil wedding will now be required to register their details on the eCitizen portal, pay for the marriage fee, book for a pre-wedding interview, and later get an appointment for the wedding to be officiated by the registrar.
