Love that knows no tribe

Kiragu Gathaiya and Millicent Atieno met in early 2011 during a youth fellowship in their church. “I noticed him because he was very humorous but I didn’t put more to it,” says Millicent.

As they continued to meet in church their familiarity grew and before long they became bosom friends, talking for long hours over the phone when not in church. They started dating in July 2011.

Dating and courtship…

The couple used the time spent on dates to know each other better. They learnt more about each other’s family and culture. They also frequently interacted with each other’s family. This understanding removed any barriers than would have interfered with their love because of the tribal differences.

“Though I never thought I would ever date someone from the Luo tribe, meeting Millicent and getting to know her and her family opened my eyes to the fact that there is no right tribe to marry from, but the right person. Millicent was the right woman for me and it didn’t matter that she was not Kikuyu like me,” says Kiragu.

Millicent agrees with her husband saying that she fell in love with Kiragu because they had similar values and so much in common, and tribe wasn’t a factor.

The proposal…

Kiragu proposed to Millicent on December 9, 2011. “He came to visit me at my home looking quite uneasy and told me he had lost something. He didn’t say what it was but told me it was in his coat pocket but he couldn’t now find it. I naturally went into his coat to try help him look for it and it was then that I felt something metallic in one of the pockets but before I could even ask whether that was what he was looking for, he asked me to marry him. I didn’t hesitate in saying yes, and then he put the ring on my finger. It was so exciting and humbling,” recalls Millicent.

From that point they started making their wedding plans and informed their parents who gave them their blessings.  Dowry negotiations and other arrangements were put in motion and the couple was excitedly looking forward to their wedding day.

Then the accident…

Unfortunately Millicent had an accident soon after they started making the wedding arrangements. “I fell off a matatu as I was alighting and broke my leg. I was immobilised for five months as the fracture healed. It was a difficult time as I was in a lot of pain and used clutches throughout,” recalls Millicent, adding that Kiragu was a pillar of strength as well her family members. They supported her and prayed for her and this made the healing easier.

Beautiful wedding…

The couple had a beautiful wedding on November 3, 2012 at International Christian Church, off Mombasa Road, followed by a reception at the same venue. The green and brown colour schemed wedding cost Ksh 400,000, which they financed from their savings and contributions from family and friends. With the help of a wedding planner who booked service providers early, they were able to bring costs considerably down, as weddings held close to Christmas can be quite expensive.

The couple enjoyed their honeymoon in the Maasai Mara and is now settling down to marriage life, which they say they are loving and enjoying fully. We wish them a happy and fulfilling marriage.

 Wedding photography by Photo Magic

Published on March 2013