Getting marriage certificates in Kenya is like mining for Gold in a forest. You uproot trees and dig out so much earth with no certainity. This has led to the 90% "Come we stay" relationships aka marriage in Kenya. The red tape and our funny laws have made it such resulting in mistrust, disharmony, differing offsprings, diseases, and uncertain homes.
Why can't our laws just use three (3) documents which are national (ID, PIN No, and Birth certificate) for the two intending to marry for first time? Two days are enough to register submit and register documents on day one and another day to sign and pick your marriage certificate and cards (similar to ID bearing the names of the couples with serial numbers linked to PINs, and IDs of both such that No need to change maiden names. For instance if Uhuru Kenyatta is to marry Margret Wambui, then each gets a card like ID bearing the names of eitherwhich shows Uhuru is married to margret, and margret one shows he is married to Uhuru, then they get a certificate to their marriage to take home. If I key Uhuru Pin number and he is married his pin can link me to his ID and marriage card serial numbers and so the name of his wife Margret.
In such case No need witnesses, and taxes can be handled well with exemptions where applicable.
If marrying for 2nd, then a divorce or death certificate will be required which should be linked to first marriage documentation. If second wife for men, first wife approval or further documents like property owned together with first wife must be recorded and intention to marry.