‘Kufuli ya mapenzi’ – Kilifi spot where couples lock padlocks to declare everlasting love

While “people fall in love in mysterious ways” as the British singer, Ed Sheran’s infamous song goes, staying in love would similarly involve more mystery.

Staying in love is a continuous, practical challenge and in Kilifi county, residents have found a unique way for lovers to vow their eternal love for each other and perhaps cement their romantic relationships.

The culture that has been nurtured for the last decade involves a visit to an old ferry dabbed “Kufuli ya mapenzi”.

Here, the lovebirds lock their love with a padlock on the rails around a heart-shaped pole as a token of affection before tossing the keys into the ocean.

The said pole was founded by an Italian and bears romantic words written in Italian, English and Swahili.

‘Love locks’ is a borrowed concept from European countries like France, the U.K and Italy.

Does it work?

Different people hold varied opinions on the concept.

Speaking to Citizen TV, a resident identified as Israel Katana Dadu says he visited the area four years ago after three years of marriage.

“We were taking walk and then we were interested in the pole. What I believe is that once you tie it (padlock) here it is like you have tied the bonds of life in heaven as the Bible says,” Katana said.

He says, he has constantly visited the area since then and believes that their love will endure.

Another resident Richard Otieno of ACK Mombasa memorial cathedral maintains that the act is not a guarantee saying the belief has no basis in facts.

“That cannot give a guarantee that the marriage will stand, that the love will continue to last and who has done the research and realized that those who came there are still together or broke up?” he quipped.

On his part, Alphonse Kamanza, a security guard noted that should the participating couple break up, one of them must dive into the ocean to retrieve the keys to unlock the padlock.

“Most people believe that this works and many come here to lock their padlocks. If the relationship or marriage dies one has to dive into the sea to find the key for them to separate,” he said

He says should one of the couple die, the padlock is cut.