This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, the Office of the Attorney General in Kenya took a significant step to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on civil marriages. The Marriage Registry at the Office of the Attorney General has initiated online services, enabling couples to continue applying for and processing their marriage applications remotely.
Speaking at Sheria House, Chief Administrative Secretary Ms. Winne Guchu explained that before the pandemic, the registry had a backlog of 815 applications for civil marriages. However, due to the expiration of 793 of these applications, only 22 were still valid and within the 90-day notice period required by law.
Ms. Guchu emphasized that going forward, all applications will be handled online, and applicants will only need to visit the registry once all application procedures and payments are completed. She also clarified that the registry will prioritize the pending 793 applications before allowing new applicants on the system.
Regarding payments, Ms. Guchu assured that where payments had already been made, no further charges would be imposed on applicants. She also noted that the number of attendees at the marriage ceremony will be restricted to four people, including the couple, one witness, and the registrar of marriages, in adherence to social distancing guidelines.
In anticipation of a large number of applications, Ms. Guchu hinted at the possibility of conducting marriages in open spaces, allowing for more marriages to be conducted in a shorter period. Application procedures for Christian, Hindu, and Islamic marriages will also be online, with applicants only visiting the registry for certification.
