This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
Marriage negotiations in Kenya, known as ruracio, can be a challenging and often hilarious experience for many men. However, for some, the outcome is far from funny.
According to various accounts, the biggest stumbling block to many unions is the unreasonable demands made by the bride-to-be's family members. These demands can range from excessive dowry payments to outrageous expectations of material goods.
One such case was reported by TUKO.co.ke, where a young man named Mbogo abandoned a ruracio after the negotiation committee bailed out on the agreed KSh 60,000 and instead demanded an extra KSh 20,000 on the day of the event. To make matters worse, Mbogo was also fined KSh 10,000 for ending up at a different homestead due to a lack of a guide to the home.
He had already parted with KSh 40,000 for food, tents, chairs, and a public address system for the event. This is just one of the many stories shared by Kenyans who have experienced the highs and lows of ruracio.
One such story was shared by Cyrus Kivuti, who recounted his experience of negotiating a dowry around 10 years ago. The parents requested an amount that he could not afford, leading him to leave their daughter and seek someone who could meet their demands.
Another story was shared by Akinyi Agunja, who recounted a wedding that did not take place due to the bride's aunties refusing to open the gate until the groom paid KSh 100,000. The groom left, and the bride eventually joined him, starting their life together.
These stories and many others like them highlight the challenges and absurdities of ruracio in Kenya. While some men brave the hurdles and give in to the demands, others give up on the relationship, bringing down a would-be budding marriage.
As one Kenyan, Muthuri Murungi, shared, 'The groom left us at the negotiating table and flew out to the US. We were left calling him, but he had already switched off his phone. We found his car abandoned at the airport with the bride's travel papers. A few years later he married a doctor from California. The bride married the village drunkard.'
Source: Tuko
