Legalise your marriage, Kwale residents urged

The government has urged Kwale residents to register and legalise their marriages to benefit from the government's health insurance programmes. 

Matuga deputy county commissioner Lucy Ndemo said many people are in "come-we-stay" marriages that block them from benefiting from government initiatives.

"Let's make efforts to legalise our marriages so we can efficiently benefit from the Social Health Insurance Fund packages," she said.

The administrator said legalising marriage promotes a sense of equity, security, peace and sustainable growth.

She said women are often in trouble since they are left alone with children when marriages break. 

Sometimes they are denied inheritance they worked hard with their partners to attain.

Ndemo said legalising marriages provide protection and shared responsibilities in case things fall apart.

She said registered relationships have lifetime commitments that spouses often strive to keep, unlike the "come-we-stay" where one party can decide to end it anytime.

Ndemo said the legalising process is simple and not costly.

She said the government is committed to ensuring girls and women's rights are protected.

The administrator lamented that some residents were still secretly marrying off their daughters at tender ages.

Ndemo said teen pregnancies and child marriages impede the development of girls and women.

She urged chiefs, their assistants and residents to ensure all children are taken to school and girls are not left behind.

Ndemo urged rights organisations to rescue neglected children and assist the government in apprehending the culprits.

She said urged residents to keep off drugs and substance abuse.

Ndemo told the Kwale community to shun Mnazi brew even if it has been legalised since it has contributed to the suffering and breakage of many families.

Ndemo said various security agencies are working round the clock to arrest drug peddlers and unlicensed bars.