Early Marriages: A Persistent Social Challenge in Kenya

Early marriage, the practice of marrying young girls before they reach adulthood, exposes them to physical and mental dangers and violates their rights as children.

Early marriages remain a significant social problem in Kenya, affecting the lives of thousands of young girls each year. Despite legislative efforts and advocacy against this practice, cultural, economic and social factors continue to perpetuate it.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 23% of Kenyan girls are married before their 18th birthday, and 4% are married before the age of 15.

Child marriage rates in Kenya vary across regions and among ethnic groups. It’s alarming that girls as young as 15 are being married, while in European countries, the average marriage age is around 30 years.

Under the Marriage Act 2014, the minimum legal age of marriage is 18 years with no exceptions. A 2022 report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the average age of marriage for men rose from 25 in the 1980s to 29 years. For women, the average age of marriage rose from 21 years to 25 years.

In many communities in Kenya, early marriages are deeply rooted in tradition. Some cultures view marriage as a rite of passage into adulthood, where a girl's value is often tied to her marital status and ability to bear children. This cultural mindset is particularly prevalent in rural areas where education for girls is not prioritised, and marriage is seen as a means of securing their future.

Poverty, being a significant driver of early marriages in Kenya, often forces families of these young girls to choose financial gain over their daughters' well-being. In certain communities, arranged marriages are seen as a means to secure economic stability and strengthen family alliances.

Other than that, marriage is also viewed as a way to alleviate economic burdens. Marrying off a daughter may reduce the number of mouths to feed or bring in resources (through the bride price), which can support the rest of the family.

Bride price or dowry in early marriages is influenced by several factors:

1. Cultural and social norms - Different cultures have varying traditions and expectations around bride price. In some societies, the amount is symbolic, while in others it may represent the family's status or the value of the bride.

2. Family status and wealth - The social and economic status of both the bride and groom's families can significantly impact the bride price.

3. Education and skills of the bride - In some cultures, a bride's level of education, skills or other attributes, like beauty, can increase the bride price. 4.

4. Younger brides, especially in the context of early marriages, may sometimes command a higher bride price, as they are often seen as more desirable due to their perceived potential for childbearing.

Once all of these have been taken into consideration, the two families then negotiate and come to an agreement on how the dowry will be paid.

In impoverished regions where opportunities for education and economic advancement are limited, young girls are often forced into marriages with older men who can provide financial stability, but at the cost of their freedom and future.

When married off, her education comes to an abrupt end. Once married, many girls are forced to drop out of school to take on household responsibilities or because they become pregnant. They remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, lacking the skills and knowledge needed to improve their status.

The health implications of early marriages are severe. Complications such as obstetric fistula (this is a hole in the birth canal that develops as a result of prolonged and obstructed labour), high infant mortality rates and maternal deaths are common.

Young brides are often subject to early pregnancies, which pose significant health risks to both the mother and child, as their bodies are not fully developed.

Furthermore, early marriages increase the risk of gender-based violence, including sexual abuse and domestic violence, which further worsens the physical and mental health challenges these young girls face.