Former British Soldier Faces Bigamy Charges Over Kenyan Marriage
A former British soldier stationed in Nanyuki, Kenya has revealed an unusual situation surrounding his relationship with a Kenyan woman.
The soldier, whose name remains undisclosed, 'unintentionally' participated in a marriage ceremony during his deployment believing it to be a different kind of celebration. He maintains that the confusion stemmed from a language barrier. After becoming involved with the woman while serving, he shared his desire to bring her to the United Kingdom as his spouse in 2022. However, British authorities investigating the visa application discovered the marriage ceremony and raised concerns about bigamy, a criminal offence in the UK.
In a case heard at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, the prosecution argued that the former British soldier engaged in bigamy. They argued that despite separating from his first wife whom he had married in 2011, the soldier participated in an Islamic marriage ceremony with a Kenyan woman before finalizing his divorce. This act, according to the prosecution, constituted bigamy as he remained legally married to his first wife on the date of the second ceremony, October 29, 2021.
As reported by the Daily Mirror, Prosecutor Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Adams informed the court that the accused engaged in 'nikah', a marriage ceremony recognized under Sharia Law. This act constituted bigamy as the divorce proceedings remained incomplete, making the first marriage legally valid. The soldier, in his defence, claimed he lacked comprehension of the ceremony's proceedings since it was conducted in Swahili, a language unfamiliar to him.
Notably, the Kenyan woman involved was already pregnant when the divorce proceedings commenced in 2022. It's crucial to remember that UK law stipulates individuals must be single, widowed, or divorced, and over 18 years old, to be eligible for marriage.
Comments (3)
That sounds like a slam dunk case, the ex-soldier was not in a position to legally wed unless his prior marriage had been concluded in accordance with the laws of the land.
But due to “language barrier” the guy can deny any knowledge and or understanding that the ceremony constituted elements of marriage.
He’s also legally allowed to sleep around and have babies outside of a legally binding marriage.
Who’s the complaint anyway? If the ex wife ain’t complaining What’s the big deal? Why should 3rd parties be concerned whether he procured a marriage.
What’s legally binding marriage anyway in a situation where two have been separated for years and the marriage is irreparable? The said marriage no longer exists, it’s dead! Thus, there should be some room in the law to allow for reasonable grounds! Sometimes you want to divorce someone and that person refuses to sign divorce papers and then takes you in circles for years!
Let the ex soldier enjoy his Kenyan wife na wabeberu waachane na siasa!
Before viazi vya rojo and samaki wakupaka, make sure everything is done in accordance with the law!