This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 19, 2019, a joint parenting agreement was signed by two men in Busia County, marking a rare incident in the region. The agreement was witnessed by the County Commissioner Jacob Narengo and Children Services Director Esther Wasige at a Busia hotel.
Christopher Bwire and Kevine Barasa, the two men involved, had swapped wives with Lilian Weta and Immaculate Auma, respectively. The women, who are from Busia County, will now have to stay with their biological children in their new marriages.
Ms. Wasige stated that the children were still young and thus could not be allowed to live with someone not their biological mother. She added that officers from the Department of Children would be making periodic visits to the couples' homes to find out how the children were faring.
Mr. Barasa was told to ensure the two children, Immaculate Auma and Christopher Bwire, had all basic needs. Mr. Bwire was also asked to provide for the three children Mr. Barasa had with Lilian Weta before their marriage went south.
Ms. Wasige emphasized that the documents signed were legally binding and that any party disobeying the agreement would be sued for neglecting their children. Mr. Narengo urged the public to take marriage seriously and warned that those who would abuse the rights of the minors would be arrested and prosecuted.
