The Supreme Court of Kenya has ruled that ‘come we stay’ relationships are not legally recognized as marriages. This means that without a legal marriage, you may not have legal recourse in disputes over property, finances, or even child custody.

Now listen, you might think you are legally married because you have done a traditional wedding what we call ruracio or nyombo or you get the gist? But if it is not registered with the registrar of marriage and you don’t have a certificate then that’s just a come we stay.

Couples are supposed to register these marriages six months after completion of the customary rituals

Under the Marriage Act of 2014, there are four more recognized types of marriages apart from customary: Civil, Christian, Hindu and Islamic. Each type offers legal protection and benefits that ‘come we stay’ relationships simply cannot provide.

Legal marriages ensure that both parties have equal rights and responsibilities. This means access to property, inheritance, and even child custody rights in case of separation.

Moreover, legal marriages provide social recognition and stability, fostering a sense of belonging and security for both partners and their children.

Keep it TV47 for more of this explainer videos.