99-Year-Old Man Weds His 40-Year-Old Bride After 20 Years Of Dating

Johana Maritim Butuk, a 99-year-old native of Kenya, wed Alice Jemeli, a 40-year-old, after 20 years of courtship.

The couple exchanged vows in a vibrant wedding ceremony in Soy, Uasin Gishu County on Saturday, January 14, 2023.

Butuk was 69 years old and Jemeli was 20 years old when they first met in 2003. Their love became stronger as they dated despite their different ages.

Preparations for the wedding ceremony began in December 2022, after the elderly man proposed to Jemeli.

The Standard reports that this was his first marriage as Butuk has never dated a woman in his 99 years on earth.

Jemeli is also happy as Butuk welcomed her three children from a previous relationship.

The couple celebrated their marriage at their mud-walled home in the Tuiyobei Soy B village. They had a few family members with them as they strolled around the unfenced homestead.

Locals who attended the ceremony at the nearby St Mark’s Soy B Catholic Church, where the couple exchanged marriage vows, described it as being very colourful.

Locals claim they had never witnessed a 99-year-old guy marry a lady his granddaughter’s age.

When The Standard showed up at their house, they discovered the couple talking about their aspirations to construct a beautiful home for themselves despite their limited resources.

The groom, Butuk said: “I did not marry my entire life because I have always wanted peace of mind. I was also busy with menial jobs, and when I decided to marry all my friends were already grandfathers. But when I met my wife, I discovered that I found what I wanted in life. Alice talks less and helps navigate challenges in life.

“She was young when we first met, and I loved her because of her humility. I was first introduced to her by a woman called Tabasei, and we connected well despite the age differences. I am happy because my wife is now mature and responsible.”

His bride, Jemeli said: “I loved him when we first met in 2003. I had quit an abusive relationship, but when I met Mzee (Butuk) through a woman, I loved him because he was humble and listened to me. He was old, and I decided to be his helper because I knew that I would become a married woman like other women.”

She claims that when they first met, Butuk was homeless and unkempt, and she takes joy in having changed his life. Butuk had a home with one of his brothers, known as arap Kenei, who passed away in 2010.

Jemeli claimed that after his brother passed away, her husband’s problems got worse and she was forced to move in. They later built the mud-walled house they currently live in.

Butuk, a man of few words, used to work as a herder. He often avoided conflicts and altercations that are usually connected to romantic relationships and courtship. He loved eating guava leaves, according to the locals, and never talked to women.

Butuk said: “I have been late in many things, but today I am happy because I am a married man. I was initiated in 1943, way after my age mates had been circumcised. I am confident that the happiness in my marriage will make me live longer.”

His wife Jemeli claims that she works as a house girl at a nearby residence and makes Sh3,000 per month.

Their colorful wedding was made possible due to the generosity of neighbors and well-wishers who learned of their plans to go down the aisle.

She said: “Our wedding was colourful, and we are celebrating it at our humble home. We have no money because even our wedding ceremony was financed by neighbours and our friends in the Church. We can’t even go to the nearby Soy Club for a meal.”

Despite their financial difficulties, the couple claims they intend to build a bigger and more pleasant home.