Who can marry in Kenya and the legal age
Constitution of Kenya and Marriage Act · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Nobody may marry until they are 18. Every adult has the right to marry a person of the opposite sex, and both must freely agree; a union without free consent, or with someone under 18, is not a marriage.
- Where
- Registrar of Marriages (State Law Office) or a licensed place of worship; the High Court if a right is violated
Steps
- Choose how to marry. A marriage can be registered under the Marriage Act if it is Christian, civil, customary, Hindu or Islamic.
- Register the marriage. The law describes marriage as a voluntary union registered under the Marriage Act.
- If someone's right is denied or violated, they, or someone acting for them, can go to court.
Watch out
- A union is not a marriage if either person was under 18 at the time.
- A union is also not a marriage if either person did not freely consent.
- Marrying a person under 18 is a crime: up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to KSh 1 million, or both.
Who this covers
- Anyone who has turned 18.
- Every adult, marrying a person of the opposite sex, with the free consent of both.
Official sources (2)
- Marriage Act, No. 4 of 2014 (Cap. 150) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026