Popular Seventh-day Adventist pastor Elizabeth Mokoro has slammed men who fundraise for the dowry needed to marry their wives. Pastor Elizabeth Mokoro who has spoken out about dowry. Photo: Get The Point. Source: Facebook Dowry in the Hebrew culture According to the pastor, even in the Bible, people gave dowry, and those who couldn’t afford it offered to work for the father of the girls for an agreed period. “In Hebrew culture, if you wanted a girl, you had to pay dowry not as a means of exchange but it was to show society that you can take care of a people,” said Mokoro. “But what is the problem with our young people fundraising for dowry? What are you telling us? That you cannot take care of a woman?” she asked. Some netizens argued against the sermon, saying that if one waited until they had the money, they would be too old to marry. Others opined that in their traditional societies, people came together to raise money for their son’s and friend’s dowry. Comments from netizens: Robert Mwangala: “Who paid dowry for Isaac is it not Abraham? Lets young people marry with or without funds of their own.” Mwikali Esther: · “I concur with this ideology. Sasa how do you decide to marry when you can’t do the bare minimum; giving dowry! This fundraiser thing for things like birthdays, dowry and weddings, graduations … etc are a shortcut for many people who don’t want to live within their means.” Mary Mbinya: “Mimi nikikubuka mubaba alingangana kulipa peke yake sinanga nguvu ya kuchanga. The older women taught me kitambo mwanaume ni vile unamzoesha from day one.” Odengo Joash: “But at least we are not Jewish people, in Luo culture, girl’s community would organise and raid the boy’s community and take cattles with them as a girl’s dowry. “And in the recent past, the boy’s father used to take responsibility for his son’s dowry. I therefore see no problem in the fundraising for the same.” Makena Shukrani: “Mi nayo mkini add group ya kuchangia dowry you won’t see my coin.” Bahati finally pays Diana Marua’s dowry In another story, Bahati and Diana Marua held their traditional wedding at a private location attended by a few family members and close friends. Bahati revealed that his father-in-law had given them his blessings and prayed for them to have a happy and everlasting marriage. RThe singer said the dowry payment was part of the seven gifts he promised his wife before their seventh anniversary.
BY Susan Mwenesi