Boy child ‘celebrates’ new ‘wedding standard’ set by billionaire Manu Chandaria

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Manu Chandaria, 90, and his partner, Aruna Chandaria, 85, solemnised their union at the Registrar of Marriages’ office in Sheria House, Nairobi on Friday — and Twitter users are having a field day with the new “standard” set by the industrialist.

Manu Chandaria and Aruna Chandaria have tied the knot — formally — after living together as husband and wife for 64 years.

The pair first got married in 1955 in a simple informal wedding held at the Visa Oshwal centre in Mombasa.

And, now — to get a marriage certificate –, the couple held a formal ceremony at the AG’s office six decades later.

The fact that Manu and Aruna stayed together in a “non-formal” setting as husband and wife for close to 65 years, has sparked a great debate on Twitter, with users wondering what is the appropriate dating period couples should adhere to before solemnising their relationship.

The “boy child” on Twitter felt liberated, saying Manu has set a new standard, which he would, henceforth, make reference to when it comes to deciding when to settle down.

Twitter user, Austine Barasa, said: “Manu Chandaria’s marriage fee was Ksh9, 700 at the State Attorney. ‘Middle Class’: Hi, we need Ksh600K to finance our wedding and so we added you to our WhatsApp group fundraiser for support. Me: Leave group, delete group.”

Gachoki Karani said: “If Manu Chandaria’s wedding is less than Ksh10, 000. Who am I to have a bigger [wedding] budget? How? Men collect your freedom.”

Gerald Ngao said: “Billionaire Manu Chandaria solemnises his marriage to his wife of 64 years, Aruna Chandaria, at the AG’s Chambers. Apa nime-date dem two weeks, anaanza kuniuliza: ‘babe, what are we’?”

Philip Mwaniki said: “Chics who have been in a relationship for 10 years but still ask their man: ‘What are we?’ are out of luck, thanks to Manu Chandaria. 54 more years to go baybeee!”

Kawangware Finest said: “Hii ujinga mtu anaweka committee mzima za WhatsApp group ati anafanya harusi, learn from Manu Chandaria; with only Ksh3, 900, the civic wedding was done.”

John Mwenda said: “Ladies be forcing men to take loans, form committees and become beggars to afford a wedding, then divorce even before the loan is paid. Manu Chandaria’s story shows that a wedding is not a must, love is more important.”

Waswa Rodgers said: “Manu Chandaria has done a boy shaud a great favour. Marriage is after 60+ years of dating, and no spending more than Ksh10, 000 [on wedding].”

Charlee Oddie1 said: “Congrats to industrialist Manu Chandaria. Finally, he has officially married his longtime girlfriend to whom he has courted for 64 years. Wewe, two weeks wataka harusi. My sister, patience pays.”

Bel Akinyi said: “Manu Chandaria, a billionaire, has married his wife of 64 years at the AG’s chambers. Please, msitusumbue na WhatsApp groups sijui committee to raise money for your extravagant wedding. Kila mtu aende na volume yake please.”

The Chandarias were brought together by family and business interests.

Their union, however, was not arranged as was the case in the Indian community at the time.

Aruna was born in Thika while Manu was born in Nairobi, but both families moved to India in the 1940s.

In Kenya, a wedding conducted at the Registrar’s office costs Ksh9, 700.