This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
On November 26, 2019, religious leaders in Ijara, Garissa County announced a new set of rules on bride price and wedding ceremonies in the region.
The move aims to curb extravagance and alleged extortion by potential grooms.
According to the new rules, a groom is required to give four cows or an equivalent of Ksh. 60,000, down from the previous set price of Ksh. 100,000.
The bride's dress is now capped at Ksh. 20,000, down from Ksh. 50,000 previously.
The cost of henna, a form of decoration used to prepare the bride for the ceremony, has been reduced from Ksh. 7,000 to Ksh. 3,000.
The elders have also declared the U.S. dollar an illegal form of payment for the ceremony.
Other new rules include limiting house furniture to a dressing mirror, wardrobe, bed, and cooking utensils, and capping wedding preparation expenses for the bride's mother at Ksh. 10,000.
Photography during the nuptials has been abolished, and the number of bride escorts has been reduced to two, with only two cars allowed in the convoy to the ceremony.
