Authors : Catherine Wanjiru Gachutha; Dr. Amos Keya Alumada; Dr. Elizabeth W. Kamau

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc3k8hky

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May284

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background: Existing literature indicates a positive correlation between the effectiveness of pre-marital counselling (PMC) programs and the stability, satisfaction, and longevity of Christian families. However, there is a low PMC uptake in Kenya, and couples who utilize PMC are likely to report dissatisfaction with the PMC experiences and may face marriage dissolutions later in life. Part of the cause is the lack of professional competence among PMC practitioners. No Kenyan study has explored the processes, interventions, and delivery of PMC.  Objective: To discover the processes, interventions, and delivery of PMC in selected institutions within Kiambu and Nairobi counties.  Methods: The study employed a qualitative research design based on interpretivist and constructivist paradigms of Grounded Theory. The participants comprised 12 PMC counsellors from Nairobi County, 4 male clergy offering PMC, and 20 PMC beneficiaries married for 15 to 28 years, selected from 4 churches within Kiambu and Nairobi counties. The data were collected between April 25 and April 30, 2025, using in-depth interviews with the clergy, self-administered couple questionnaires, and counsellor-focused group discussions. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis.  Results: Eleven theories and six assessment tools were highlighted by PMC practitioners for application in PMC. The beneficiaries identified five core expectations for PMC content delivery: professionalism, cultural competence, a supportive environment, comprehensive topic coverage, and the use of real-life examples.  Conclusion: Increasing professional competence among PMC practitioners contributes to PMC effectiveness.  Implications: Institutions offering PMC courses should enhance practitioners’ competence and professionalism by ensuring that their PMC curriculum captures the highlighted tools.

Keywords : Counselling, Competence, Professionalism, Couples, Kenya, Pre-Marital.

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