Kenya created an online marriage service at Sheria House, which will eliminate the need for human contact during the pandemic. The online marriage service was created as a response to social distancing measures, previously in May, there was an increase of clients registering in person. Couples who are now looking to get married can register through an eCitizen portal, which will handle marriage fees, and booking for a pre-wedding interview.
Offering marriage services through an online platform will ensure that people can maintain a safe distance, which will help to slow the spread of COVID-19 while ensuring that weddings can still proceed during the pandemic. After closure in may 2,551 marriages had to be suspended, and the new online service will prevent any suspension in the future.
Online Wedding Services
Kenya Launched an Online Marriage Service to Maintain Social Distancing
Trend Themes
1. Online Marriage Services - The pandemic has underscored the importance of offering marriage services through an online platform, presenting an innovation opportunity for governments around the world.
2. Contactless Wedding Planning - The surge in demand for online marriage services signals an opportunity for wedding service providers to pivot to contactless wedding planning, leveraging digital tools to make the process more efficient and convenient.
3. Virtual Pre-wedding Interviews - The success of Kenya's eCitizen portal to handle pre-wedding interviews opens up an opportunity for wedding service providers to offer virtual pre-wedding interviews as part of their contactless wedding planning services.
Industry Implications
1. Government Services - Governments can leverage digital platforms to offer online marriage services, reducing human contact during the pandemic and beyond.
2. Wedding Services - The surge in demand for online marriage services underscores the opportunity for wedding service providers to pivot to contactless wedding planning, using digital tools to create a more seamless and convenient experience for clients.
3. Digital Payments - The eCitizen portal's ability to handle marriage fees presents an opportunity for digital payment providers to partner with governments and service providers to streamline the process of registering for and paying for marriage services online.