Two parents arrested for okaying marriage of their under age children

Migori, Kenya: Two parents are held being at Migori Police Station for allegedly allowing minors to get married in Oruba, Migori County.

Evince Andita, father to a 14-year-old girl and David Mwingi, father to a 16-year-old boy, are alleged to have organised for the union mid last year.

Atinda is reportedly accepted three cows as a dowry from the groom and allowed her daughter to proceed to her matrimonial home.

The young couple lived together for one month before the area chief intervened to save situation.

Oruba Location Chief Jared Abila confirmed the incident saying that the parents of the couple had violated rights of the minors.

"A standard eight boy marrying a standard six girl is an outright abuse of childrens right. What makes it worse is the fact that their parents allowed the union. As a parent, you ought to take care of you children and ensure they complete school to better their future and not selfishly dragging them into marriage," said Abila.

He added: “When this union was organised, the mothers were kept in the dark over fears, they would not support the union."

A neighbour, who sought anonymity, told The Standard that the duo got married early December last year, immediately the schools closed for Christmas holiday.

"The girl disappeared one week after closing for December holidays. The family looked for her in vain until recently when the chief discovered that she was married off, a few kilometers away from their village," said the neighbour.