MARRIAGE ACT SIGNED INTO LAW

In March 2014, Parliament passed the Marriage Act 2014 into law. The Act was assented to by the President on 29th April, 2014 and came into force on 20th May, 2014.

The Act defines marriage as the voluntary union of a man and a woman whether in a monogamous or polygamous union. The Act which consolidates various laws relating to marriage provides procedures for separation and divorce and also regulates the custody and maintenance of children in the event of separation and divorce.

The Act repeals several Acts including the Marriage Act, the African Christian Marriage and Divorce Act, the Matrimonial Causes Act, the Mohammedan Marriage Divorce and Succession Act and the Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act.