Relief for unmarried men in Ijara as Clerics set new marriage rules

Religious leaders from Ijara, Garissa County have set out new rules for marriages and vowed to curse whoever goes against it.

This comes after a group of men from Ijara Constituency registered their complains about alleged skyrocketed prices and unmanageable demands from their women counterparts. Religious leaders and elders have now taken the matter to another level in a bid to normalize the cost.

The leaders have set 13 new conditions to be observed by all who are willing to marry from Ijara constituency. The new rules include payments of 4 cows or equivalent of Ksh. 60,000 for dowry, house furnitures must not exceed dressing mirror, ward rope, bed and utensils; Proposal budget must not exceed Ksh. 30,000 and pride’s clothes of Ksh. 20,000.

The elders and religious leaders added that there is no introduction of dollars in the dowry. The new conditions set are of maximum but anyone can come with less depending on the agreement.

Other conditions are: Ksh. 3000 for pride preparation, the number of people who will escort the pride must be 2 incase the pride’s new home is situated outside ijara, maximum of Ksh. 10,000 for mother in -law ( wedding preparation expenses) , 4 goats for wedding feast, No photography and No convoy of cars for the nikkah ceremony where only 2 cars to take the pride to her new home.

Ijara religious leaders have reiterated that anyone who breaks the new conditions will be prayed against or cursed.

This is not the first town that set new rules for marriages. Last month, religious leaders and elders of Ifo refugee camp set a similar conditions in a bid to lower marriage cost

Ijara new marriage rules will take effect from 1st of December, 2019.