A few steps from the church entrance, Henry Kariuki, 95, stops limping, stares hard at Alice Wanjiku, 70, straightens up and with a bright smile hugs and pecks her saying: “Alice, remember that first day we met? I promised you a colourful church wedding and honeymoon in a place of your choice. That is where l am taking you today.”
That was at ACK Passenga church in Nyandarua County, where the excited and visibly happy grandfather fulfilled a 40-year-old promise to his wife Alice.
MARRIAGE VOWS
On Sunday, the wedding attracted thousands of guests and Henry left the congregation in stitches each time the clerics asked him to say or do something.
Limping but full of humour and confidence, the grandfather appeared to have spent the last 40 years practising how he would say his vows and how his wedding day would turn out.
When the marriage certificate was finally signed and the priests asked who would be its custodian, the old man smiled at his bride and in a loud whisper said: “Fold it very carefully and place it in my coat pocket.” Then, turning to the conducting clerics, he said: “That should not worry or bother you, it’s already safe, as you can see.”
Henry said his decision to formalise the marriage came at the right time after the government directed that all marriages should be legalised.
He said he wants to set a good example for his children and other young couples.
PROMISE FULFILLED
“It has always been my dream to give my beautiful wife a befitting wedding. I have planned it for the last 40 years. I was also saving to have a big feast for our guests. We are heading home to entertain our guests before we proceed on our honeymoon to a place of her choice,” said the father of 17, grandfather of 39 and great grandfather of two.
Alice described Henry as a blessing, a loving husband, and a family man.
“This day reminds me of the first time I met Henry – he was a handsome energetic man, humble yet very focused. He was a man any lady would have wanted to marry. He is still the Mr Charming I met that first day. But let us not discuss it, that is history and I’m happy he has finally fulfilled a promise he made more than 40 years ago,” said Alice.
HAPPY DAY
Reverend Gitonga Ndung’u, the vicar in-charge of Passenga ACK parish who was leading the ceremony, said: “Today is my happiest day. We are celebrating a wedding ceremony between Henry and Alice who have been married for the last 40 years.
“Henry came to me soon after the government announced that all marriages should be legalised. He wanted my advice on how to go about it. He also informed me that a church wedding was a special gift he promised his wife on the day he proposed and she accepted to marry him.”
He advised Henry to start the journey by registering the wedding.
“That is why we are here today. We want to witness the signing of the marriage certificate,” said the vicar.
LOVE
He described the couple as a role model to others, adding that he has always been amazed by the love and care he witnessed between Alice and Henry whenever he visited them.
“I have known them close to five years; it is a family that one would wish to visit all the time, a happy couple that is always teasing each other and [one that] is full of parables. I like the way they complement each other. They are still very strong and a healthy couple. I wish them well,” said Reverend Ndung’u.
He said the couple’s marriage has been peaceful and the two have taught their children to live positively, and to be honest and God-fearing.
“It’s a couple I would wish other couples to emulate,” said Rev Ndung’u.
He described the ceremony as beautiful and encouraging, adding that it was the first time the congregation was witnessing such an old couple solemnising their marriage.