Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Milimani Law Courts Judge Hillary Chemitei ruled that both parents must participate in naming their child, emphasising the importance of mutual agreement in such decisions.

The ruling came in response to a parental dispute in which a man accused his wife of unilaterally naming their child without his consent, despite his active involvement during the child's birth.

In his decision, Justice Chemitei stated that the father's rights were violated and noted that a child’s name is closely tied to their identity and emotional well-being.

As per him, excluding one parent from the process could have long-term psychological impacts.

While acknowledging the mother’s biological role, the judge ruled that she could not single-handedly assign names to the child without involving the father.

Justice Chemitei cited African cultural norms, which traditionally recognise both parents in the naming process, and clarified that modern societal changes, including rising single-parenting and intercultural relationships, do not nullify the need for mutual consent.

However, the ruling has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with many expressing concerns over paternal responsibility.

Critics argue that some fathers abandon their responsibilities or deny paternity, questioning the fairness of requiring mothers to include such fathers in the naming process.

Debates have emerged on social media, with some saying naming should reflect a parent’s actual role in the child's life, rather than tradition or legal entitlement.

Min Sulwe

"I find baby naming a very honourable responsibility. Sitting down with a list of names and picking out the most suitable one for your child. But heh, the reality is that some people just don’t want to be involved in that. We can’t force them."

Tony Rotich

"I am sure no woman will like the participation of a deadbeat in the naming of the child. Whatever the clause contains, this might give a privilege to the deadbeats to claim the child later in life after evading responsibilities, usually when the child becomes successful. Am sure our sisters here won't like this."

Racheal Ngige

"Actually, they should rule on the removal of deadbeat fathers by the child's name. It's annoying to see names that don't add value."

Maxwel Odeka

"Just imagine that you leave the battlefield for home to enjoy your annual leave then your wife tells you that she has named your newborn after her grandmother - Turufena Agumba and trying to change this creates another battle. Ety sosh sent me a dream and I must obey it. She shortens the name and begins to call you Baba Turu. Thank you court."

Salome Nguira

"Even deadbeats? Do you know how children feel when they know they have a father who is alive but neither available nor provides for them?"

Calvin Otinga

"Instead, you could have ruled that DNA tests be free and compulsory for every newborn baby before naming."

Steve Kathuu Ann

"Which is more important? Naming or responsibility? They should have ruled that responsibility is for both parents!"

Amudala Odarih

"Nonsense! Clan lineage is determined by the father and hence the naming. Women are always tribeless. However, children named after their mother's side are meant to honour her people as well, but will still always bear their father's name to remind them of their roots."

Zahara Ndhenya Mamunashe

"What about those who disappear when you just tell them you are pregnant? Look like we gonna have a lot of nameless babies coming."

Oray Achieng

"Instead of courts ruling on mandatory accessible reproductive health care, they are focusing on non-issues like naming! What a joke!"

Meanwhile, a grateful mother, Leah Njeri, named her son after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro in appreciation of the lawmaker’s education support initiative, Masomo Bora.

Njeri, who once struggled to raise school fees for her children, credited the programme for helping her family through difficult times.

She expressed her gratitude during the Murang’a East sub-county prize-giving ceremony held at Maragi Comprehensive School, where she introduced her son, Samson Ndindi Nyoro.

Source: TUKO.co.ke