The proposed bill had initially given a wife the right to veto the husband’s choice, but male members of parliament overcame party divisions to push through a text that dropped this clause.
It was a hot debate as the ladies were against it and even staged a walk out yet the bill was passed to law as the men outnumbered them.
Mohammed Junet, an MP representing a constituency from the western Nyanza province,
“When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the way and a third wife… this is Africa,” Kenya’s Capital News website quotes him as saying.
MPs Aden Duale, Jakoyo Midiwo and Junet Mohammed said it was against tradition to seek consent to marry a second wife and claimed their female colleagues had an ulterior motive in trying to push for the clause.
“I want my Christian brothers to read the Old Testament, King David and King Solomon never consulted anybody to marry a second wife,” said Duale.
Mohammed Junet, an MP representing a constituency from the western Nyanza province,
“When you marry an African woman, she must know the second one is on the way and a third wife… this is Africa,” Kenya’s Capital News website quotes him as saying.
MPs Aden Duale, Jakoyo Midiwo and Junet Mohammed said it was against tradition to seek consent to marry a second wife and claimed their female colleagues had an ulterior motive in trying to push for the clause.
“I want my Christian brothers to read the Old Testament, King David and King Solomon never consulted anybody to marry a second wife,” said Duale.
Interesting…I don’t totally disagree with the lawmakers. I think couples should be guided by their religious affiliation and the basis upon which their marriage was contracted. If you married in the church, then the lady has every right to refuse a second but if the basis and your belief structure allows it, then it’s wrong to make a u-turn midway through…my thoughts tho’