Religious leaders from Garissa County have set new rules for bride price and weddings, in a bid to sanitise the issue that was getting out of hand.
Reports indicate that the leaders set the new rules so as to encourage more young men to marry legally as per the set customs.
A group of young men from the county had petitioned the clerics and elders to review dowry prices, adding that their inability to meet unreasonable dowry demands is one of the major reasons why they are unable to marry.
“It is a trend that has scared away our youth from marrying, leaving marriage exercises to the elderly who have made money and can afford half-a-million shillings bride price,” said Abdikadir Dahir as quoted by Nation.
Following the petition, the elders crafted 13 rules that will guide weddings and dowry payment in the community effective December 1, 2019.
In the new rules, grooms will be required to give four cows or an equivalent of Sh60,000.
House furniture will not exceed a dressing mirror, bed, wardrobe, and cooking utensils, while Sh20,000 will be the maximum amount spent on bride’s clothes.
The wedding proposal budget has been set at Sh30,000 while the bride preparation costs have been reduced to Sh3,000 from the initial Sh7,000.
For wedding preparation expenses, the mother-in-law will be given a maximum of Sh10,000 and four goats for the marriage feast.
The leaders have warned that those will not follow the new rules will be cursed.