It’s immoral! Says elder over teen marriages

The tendency by elderly men marrying girls young enough to be their grandchildren is a matter of concern to Lamu Council of Elders.

Council chairperson Sharif Salim said the trend promotes promiscuity since the young women once married to the elders, end up getting younger men for intimacy.

Speaking to journalists in Lamu, Mr Salim rebuked elders who do not respect their age and instead go after young girls for marriage most of whom are aged between 16 and 17.

“I am unhappy with some elders who don’t respect their age. They marry extremely young girls as second, third or even fourth wives. That’s immoral,”

“Such elders and parents of the young girls should be arrested and prosecuted,” said Mr Salim.

Mr Salim noted that the girl child needs to pursue her career instead of being forced into early marriage.

“As elders, we have an important role to encourage our girls to embrace education for a better future. Marrying these girls means ending their future dreams,” he noted.

COVID-19

Lamu County Deputy Commissioner Louis Rono, when contacted regarding the issue, encouraged members of the public to report any case of early marriage.

He warned residents against taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation and marrying off their young daughters.

Mr Rono said the government will act firmly on the perpetrators, saying the practice is retrogressive.

The county official said they had empowered chiefs and their assistants, village headmen, Nyumba Kumi committee members and the clergy, on how to deal with such issues when they arise.

“The elders haven’t informed us on the barbaric practices in Lamu. We encourage girls here to embrace education. We will take firm action against the perpetrators of early marriages,” said Mr Rono.