Bishops raise alarm over marriage certificate shortage

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops has raised concern over a growing shortage of marriage certificates, warning that delays in civil registration are discouraging couples from formalising their unions.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday from Donum Dei, Roussel House in Karen, Nairobi, the bishops said the process of legalising marriages has become “unnecessarily arduous," citing slow clearance procedures and limited availability of certificates.

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“For some time now, we have been experiencing difficulties in the legal process of civil registration and legalisation of marriage. The process of notification and obtaining certificates has become unnecessarily arduous,” the bishops said.

They noted that the situation has been worsened by what they described as an ongoing shortage of marriage certificates, making it difficult for couples to complete the legal process within planned timelines.

“The clearance process is slow and at times insensitive to the time and dates set. Moreover, we are now experiencing a shortage of marriage certificates,” the statement read.

According to the bishops, the challenges are already having a social impact, with many couples reportedly postponing or abandoning plans to formalise their marriages due to the bureaucratic hurdles.

“These conditions have discouraged many from contracting marriage, as the statistics show,” they said, warning that the trend could have broader implications on society.

The bishops cautioned that failure to address the issue risks undermining the institution of marriage and could leave vulnerable partners exposed due to lack of legal protection.

“This is bound to cause a moral dent to society and risks depriving the weaker spouses of their legal rights,” they said.

They emphasized the importance of marriage as a constitutional and social pillar, urging authorities to streamline the registration process and ensure the availability of essential documentation.

“We as a country must protect and promote the institution of marriage as provided in the Constitution of Kenya, Article 45,” the bishops said.

The remarks were part of a wider message in which the clergy addressed national issues, including governance, the economy, and global conflicts, while calling for unity, hope, and renewed commitment to national values.

In their message, the bishops acknowledged Kenya’s relative peace compared to conflict-hit regions globally and urged leaders to mitigate the economic effects of international crises.

They also expressed hope for improved livelihoods, job creation for young people, and a more stable economy, while calling for a society grounded in respect, honesty, and the sanctity of life.

However, the warning over delays in marriage registration stood out as a key domestic concern, with the bishops urging urgent intervention to ease the process and restore confidence among couples seeking to formalise their unions.

They maintained that strong families remain the foundation of a stable society, stressing that any barriers to marriage registration must be addressed promptly.