Sunday, July 20, 2003
Women leaders speak against
stereotypes in marriages
By NJERI RUGENE
Some women leaders saw Wambui's marriage to a man 42 years her junior as a break in tradition and stereotyping in the society.
Older men have been known to marry far much younger women, but the move has hardly raised eyebrows, the women politicians argued.
"Why are people speaking out against this? We have seen men as old as 90 marry very young girls in all our communities and this has not raised eyebrows. These are double standards which must be discarded,'' said Dr Esther Keino, a Kanu Nominated MP.
However, Dr Keino was of the view that the newly-weds be left alone to concentrate on their lives, "since there are more pressing issues to concentrate on.
"I do not think it is a bad idea at all. Men do it all the time. It is important that we understand that our parents also get lonely and need companionship,'' she said.
"This is a step forward for the liberation of African women. I am very happy for her,'' said Ms Amina Abdalla, a Nominated MP.
Ms Abdalla, 32, said it was important for even elderly widows to be let to re-marry, if they want to, like their male counterparts.
Ms Cecily Mbarire described Wambui's move as "brave, daring and shocking.'' The Narc MP saw the marriage as having set a precedent and breaking traditional norms that sneer at a woman marrying a younger man.
Said Ms Mbarire: "I have never seen a woman so daring. Her move is a challenge to certain traditions have always discriminated against women.''
The 31-year-old MP added: "The fact that she has done what we are not used to seeing. She has opened a debate on a cultural issue which Kenyans must keep alive.
The women leaders cited the recent marriage between the 60-year old Vice President Michael Wamalwa and his wife Yvonne who is 34. They asked why the age difference in this case was never made an issue.
Meanwhile, assistant minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Njeru Githae said the marriage between Wambui and Mbugua was legal despite the age difference.
The minister said he was responding to "numerous calls'' he had received from Kenyans since Friday evening, wanting to know whether the marriage was legal.
"There is no such law prohibiting older women from marrying younger men or vice versa. It may be against the traditional norms, but the marriage is perfectly legal,'' Mr Githae, the Ndia MP who is also a lawyer, said.
The law, the MP added, presupposes every person who is over 18 years to be an adult who knows what is best for him or her. "Peter is 25 years, he is seven years older than the age of maturity. I am sure he knows what he is doing. As far as I am concerned, the most important thing is for a couple to be happy. From their looks the newly-weds appeared happy and on this, I would like to congratulate them for their lovely wedding.''
At the same time, Ms Vicky Chebet from Kericho welcomed the marriage, arguing that age should not be a barrier to happiness. "Nelson Mandela did it and so did VP Wamalwa, and no one raised a finger,'' she said, congratulating Wambui "for being herself and showing other women the way.''
The newly weds were also congratulated by Ms Fatma Abeyd Anyanzwa of the Kenya Anti Rape Organisation.
Comments\Views about this article
