Why divorce should not be allowed in Kenya

The story on The standard Tuesday, September 15, 2015 on divorce made me get migraines. It’s said that figures don’t lie and the number of divorce cases is shocking! It’s time we sit and ask where the rain started beating us. Could it be the signs of eschatology?  The statistics are a manifestation of a society dearth of moral, the reasons given for the divorce cases are simply immorality!

In the days of yore, in traditional African communities, marriage was sacred and revered.  Divorce was unheard of and when it occurred, it was considered a bad omen and rituals were conducted to send away the evil spirits believed to have caused it. One could divorce only under rare occurrences like when wife or husband became insane, or cases of witchcraft. Bareness, which is listed as among the causes of divorce cases, was not there in the African traditional societies. In case of bareness one could marry a second wife to sire children while still maintaining their love to the first wife, methinks polygamy should be embraced in such a case to avoid divorce that may occur due to bareness.

In the bible, marriage is God ordained and it started with Adam and Eve. Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Becoming one flesh means that no one is to divorce and God Himself, the creator of marriage hates divorce as is evident in Malachi 2:16 “For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, which you do not deal treacherously."

With this current trend of divorce in Kenya, I foresee that soon we shall allow the western culture of "conversion divorce” that is separation agreement to take place within our country where we change the marriage institution which is supposed to be permanent, into a contract where couples decide to get married and terminate it whenever they wish.

Government and NGO need to develop systems that are aimed at mitigating the effects of divorce on parties involved and more so those that involve couples with children. Our streets are filled with urchins, some of whom are victims of the divorces.

Courts should also not grant divorce to any case filled more so those that involve couples with children since the verdict will greatly impact the innocent children. A child needs both mother and father figures for wholesome growth both spiritually, emotionally and physically.