Deaf couple weds in Kiambu

They strode along the aisle leading to the alter placidly, their resplendent wedding attire the immediate attraction to those seated on the pews of New Life Impartation Church in Nderi, a rural shopping centre in Kiambu County.

Peter Thuo 36, and Marion Kathambi 33, were here to exchange their marriage vows. A sizeable crowd had gathered on this Saturday afternoon on May 19 and the clouds were pregnant with rain. Inside the church curiosity was palpable for this was no ordinary wedding. Peter and Marion were born deaf and family and friends could not wait to see how the nuptials would be conducted.

The couples’ smiles were reassuring and hand in hand, the affection between went without saying.

At the end of each seated aisle, jasmine scented candles hung from the woodworks of the corrugated iron sheets church, punctuating the white walls with underlying blue shades.

Close family and friends wore navy blue suits for males and sky blue dresses for females and members of the deaf society from various parts of the country were there too.

“I will now introduce to you fellow brethren, the soon-to-be Mr and Mrs Peter Thuo to you as our most cherished chief guests today,” senior pastor, Karanja Kamau, pronounced at the start of the ceremony, prompting ululations as others broke into song and dance.

Pastor Kamau then explained that Ms Judy Wanjiru would translate his words in sign language so that the couple and others hard of hearing would not miss out. 

“Those with the ability to hear concentrate on my words while Ms Judy Wanjiru will be relaying my words to the bride and the groom as well as those of their community in attendance,” advised Pastor Kamau. This being a rural setting where sign language interpreters are mostly seen on TV, Ms Wanjiru became another centre of attraction.

Except for one couple which nature dictated that they remain all ears. Mr Paul Musyoki and Mrs Jacinta Syombua - both blind – who have been married for 21 years. The two attended the wedding to represent the National Network for People Living with Disabilities.

 “Between you two, Peter and Marion; who fired the first professed love to the other?” asked Pastor Kamau. After help from Ms Wanjiru, Mr Thuo’s hand shot up, his face wearing a broad smile as as Marion clung onto his chest, blushing.

Soon it was that anxious moment where objections to the marriage are invited. There was none.

Amid applause, the pastor moved to Peter and through the interpreter, made him commit that, “I promise to love you with

all my heart and marry you.” Turning to Marion, Pastor Kamau made her declare words that, “I love you and I promise to be faithful and continue to love you forever.” Some in the congregation were touched to tears. After they symbolized their union with the fitting of rings, the couple of almost the same height and body build, signed the marriage certificate to complete the religious and legal protocols. Marion then faced the first test of her married life, keeping the certificate save as directed by the pastor.  Peter was wearing a long- sleeved Kitenge shirt that had no pockets and covered just above the knee. Unable to locate a pocket to stuff the certificate, Marion stooped down to a squat and tucked it inside his husband’s left socks.

The pastor then introduced a unique session where the couple floated questions from the congregants. How did they meet? In 2012, St Andrews Church in Nairobi hosted a retreat for several evangelical missions for the deaf. 

“The moment I set my eyes on Marion, I felt weak and I knew that was the cupid arrow that had struck my heart. I did not concentrate on the retreat’s programmes as Marion occupied my mind. Iwas convinced that Marion was my lost limb and home she had to be with me as man and wife,” Peter recalled.

Soon it was a cat and mouse game of Marion avoiding Peter’s advances. Marion joked that Peter at one moment followed her to the ladies. The retreat came to an end before Peter could make headway but he had done some homework.

He had established Marion was a member of the Kariobangi Deaf Evangelical society. Peter would now and then skip services at St Andrews to attend the ones in Kariobangi.

Marion soon got a scholarship to pursue a tailoring course in her native home of Meru County but lovestruck Peter kept sending emissaries.

By 2015 there was a solid bond which developed into a courtship. “He is cool, understanding, jovial, caring and made me feel you know,” she shyly responded.

Now a tailor in Kariobangi and Peter a casual worker at Kijabe Mission Hospital, they had enough time to cultivate the relationship as a casual. For two years, they saw each other freely and decided in December last year to become husband and wife. Their parents supported the union and the Pastor Kamau’s church helped raise the bills for the wedding.

One thing the two are yet to settle on is the size and composition of the family size as Peter wants four children and Marion six.

The difference? Marion wants four sons and Peter two. The session ends with the newly-weds in a passionate hug confirming that love, real love, knows no boundaries and has a universal language.