“Hii ni Madharau” — Turkana’s Desert Roses Founder Slams Court Ruling on Dowry Refund

Raula Akai, the founder of Desert Roses, Turkana’s first-ever all-girls football team, has criticized the recent court decision allowing dowry to be refunded in the event of divorce.

Akai described the ruling as unfair and disrespectful to women, arguing that it favors men while disregarding the sacrifices women make in marriage.

“I completely disagree with the Kenya court’s decision that dowry should be returned in case of divorce. This ruling feels one-sided — it favors men while ignoring what women go through in marriage,” she said.

She questioned the logic behind refunding dowry, noting that the contributions women make in marriage cannot be measured or returned.

“What about the years a woman gives — carrying pregnancies, raising children, building a home, and often sacrificing her dreams for her family? Can those things be ‘returned’?” she asked.

Akai further stated that marriage should not be treated as a commercial transaction, stressing that dowry is meant to symbolize appreciation rather than payment.

“Marriage is not a business transaction. Dowry is a cultural symbol of appreciation, not a payment that can be refunded. Reducing it to a debt to be repaid only deepens inequality and disrespects the value of women’s contribution to family and society,” she said.

She concluded by questioning whether such legal rulings could undermine the stability of marriages, saying, “Kwa akina ndoa kutakalika kweli?”