Kenya: Government Raises Marriage Processing Fees by 10 Times

The Kenyan government has announced a significant increase in the processing fees for marriage applications by a staggering 10 times, setting the new amount at Sh50,000 at the Attorney General’s office, a substantial rise from the current Sh5,000. The decision to escalate the fees, as announced in the Gazete notice, is based on Regulation 60 of the Public Finance Management (National Government) Regulations, 2015. The notice explains that the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning has granted the authority to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration to revise charges and levies on services provided by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services. This policy adjustment is expected to impact Kenyan citizens who are in the process of formalizing their marriages, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with economic difficulties.