Legitimation in a Plural Legal System

Abstract

The necessity to examine the law relating to illegitimacy arises from the fact that the rights of illegitimate child are controversial. Further, the presumed rights of the illegitimate child may possible conflict with the succession rights of legitimate children of the marriage, whether under the Acts or the customary law. This point is evidenced in the statement by Kasumu that "most of the cases on illegitimacy deal with the rights of illegitimate children to succeed the property... it is in that area... that the consequences of illegitimacy are being greatly felt.