This paper can be downloaded in PDF format from IELRC’s website athttp://www.ielrc.org/content/a1609.pdf
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHINGA CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE
MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY IN KENYA
Patricia Kameri-Mbote and Muriuki Muriungi
Published in: 6 Zanzibar Yearbook of Law (2016), p. 71-102.
International EnvironmentalLaw Research Centre
International Environmental Law Research [email protected]
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY IN KENYA
Patricia Kameri-Mbote,. & Muriuki Muriungi,.,.
I. Introduction
II. The Conceptual Bases of Matrimonial Property
A. The Doctrine of Coverture and Its Incidents
B. Communal Vis a Vis Separate Property Holding
III. Matrimonial Property from a Historical Perspective
A. The Problem with Legal Pluralism and Its Implications for Matrimonial Property
B. Law's Solution to the Problem: MWPA
C. Giving with one Hand and Taking with the Other Hand: Jurisprudence on Matrimonial Property before the Constitution of Kenya 2010
IV. The Promise: Constitution of Kenya 2010
A. Equality and Non-Discrimination
B. Protection of Matrimonial Property
C. Ray of Hope: Jurisprudence between 2010 and 2013
V. Encounters between Reality and Rhetoric
A. Matrimonial Property Act (MPA) 201 3
B. Land Laws (Amendment) Act 201 6
C. Jurisprudence on Matrimonial Property Post 201 3
VI. Conclusion
I. Introduction
Kenya's Constitution recognizes the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society which needs the protection of the State.1 Despite this exhortation of the Constitution, issues pertaining to the family continue to
ofo Professor of Law, School of Law, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Contacts: [email protected]
ofoofo Graduate Assistant, School of Law, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Contacts: [email protected]
1 Article 45 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.