The office of the Attorney General in Kenya has today temporarily halted all marriage services despite having partially re-opened earlier this week. The Registrar General Mary Njuya said in a statement that they have been overwhelmed by the number of clients lining up at Sheria House since the announcement on reopening was made.
People are not observing the stricter measures including the social distancing rule that was stipulated by the Health Ministry to stem the spread of covid-19.
“As a result, the office has temporarily halted all marriage services in order to develop a clear roadmap on re-opening in an organized manner and to further ensure that safety measures are undertaken in the workplace,” the statement read in part.
AG‘s office (Sheria House) has witnessed many civil marriages in Kenya, exacerbated during the coronavirus crisis but couples who had planned to wed this year will be forced to postpone or cancel their ceremonies till normalcy resumes.
Couples who could not wait to start their lives together resorted to small ceremonies in church, with restricted number of guests and live streaming to families and friends.
That has become a global trend as the world continues to grapple with the covid-19 pandemic, imposed lockdown, restricted movements and curfews to curb the spread of the virus. Couples who are against their wedding plans being disrupted are feeding the fresh trend in the bridal industry they call the “minimony.”
Last month a couple from Meru that had set April 18 as their wedding date did not halt their plans. Grace Nkatha 24, married the love of her Godfrey Mutwiri, 29 in a ceremony that cost only Sh40,000.
In the new style, guests and friends who wish to join the celebrations can do so virtually.
