Related documents
- Is amended by 24th Annual Supplement

LAWS OF KENYA
MARRIAGE ACT
THE MARRIAGE (MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS) RULES
LEGAL NOTICE 122 OF 2020
- Published in Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXII—No. 140 on 17 July 2020
- Commenced on 17 July 2020
- [Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]
1. Citation
These Rules may be cited as the Marriage (Matrimonial Proceedings) Rules.2. Interpretation
In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires—"court" has the meaning assigned to it under section 2 of the Act;"defended cause" means a matrimonial cause in which a respondent has entered appearance and filed an answer;"Kadhi's Court" means a subordinate court established pursuant to Article 170(3) of the Constitution;"petitioner" means a party to a marriage who applies to the court for a separation, divorce, annulment of marriage or presumption of death of a spouse;"respondent" means a party to a marriage who defends or otherwise responds to the petitioner's application for a separation, a divorce, an annulment of marriage or a presumption of death of a spouse, including a party who files a cross-petition;"spouse" has the meaning assigned to it under section 2 of the Act; and"undefended cause" means a matrimonial cause in which no answer has been filed and includes a matrimonial cause in which all the answers have been struck out.3. Objective
Part II – COMMENCEMENT OF MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS
4. Application for leave to present a petition
5. Commencement of proceedings
Proceedings for—6. Form of Petition
7. Application for ancillary relief
8. Notice to appear
Part III – SERVICE OF PETITION AND OTHER COURT PROCESS
9. Service on the respondent
10. Substituted service
11. Service out of Kenya
12. Proof of service
Unless the court otherwise directs, a petition shall not proceed to hearing unless—Part IV – ANSWER TO PETITION, CROSS-PETITION AND INTERLOCUTORY PROCEEDINGS
13. Answer to petition, cross petition etc.
14. Petitioner to file answer to cross-petition
15. Leave to file pleadings etc. out of time
16. Amendment of pleadings
Part V – CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE, HEARING, DECREES, ETC.
17. Certificate of compliance
18. Setting down the petition for hearing and dismissal for want of prosecution
19. Right of respondent to be heard without filing answer to petition
Notwithstanding the failure to file an answer to a petition or cross-petition, a respondent who has entered an appearance may—20. Decree to issue on dissolution of marriage, etc.
Part VI – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
21. Dissolution of marriage under Islamic Law
Matrimonial proceedings for dissolution of a marriage celebrated under Islamic law shall be commenced by petition addressed to the Kadhi's Court in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Practice in the Kadhi's Court.22. Registration of foreign annulments and divorces
23. Alternative Dispute Resolution
24. Appeals
25. Petition by indigent persons
History of this document
31 December 2022 this version
Revised by
24th Annual Supplement