Philip Moi ‘owes wife Sh7m’

The estranged wife of Mr Philip Moi on Monday maintained that he owes her Sh7 million in upkeep.

Lawyer Judy Thongori, for Ms Rosanna Pluda, confirmed that the son of retired president Daniel arap Moi, who is being sought by the police for failing to obey a court order directing him to settle the debt, had only paid Sh540,000.

“It is a negligible part of the amount being sought,” the lawyer told the Nation in a telephone interview. The money was paid by cheque drawn by Philip’s lawyer Evans Ondieki.

Ms Thongori said Philip was not off the hook because he had not settled the arrears owed to his estranged wife.

She said the orders issued two weeks ago by the court to have Mr Moi arrested and imprisoned for one month until he obeys the order would remain in force until he pays the amount in total.

The debt dates back to May 24, 2010, when the High Court ordered Philip to pay Ms Pluda a monthly upkeep of Sh250,000 when she was living with their children. The amount is reduced to Sh150,000 when the children are in boarding school.

On February 17, judge GBM Kariuki of the High Court ordered the arrest and jailing of Philip at the Industrial Area Prison for one month until he pays all maintenance due to Ms Pluda.

His lawyer failed to convince the judge to allow Mr Moi two weeks to pay.

However, police have not found Philip despite numerous visits to his Nairobi residence.

Starehe police boss Aphiod Nyaga told the Nation last evening that the officers had been visiting Philip’s home in vain.

On Friday, police raided the residence along Tchui Road in Muthaiga but failed to get him.

They only found the children and the workers. Some of the workers on Monday told Nation that they had not seen their employer for the last six days.

Ms Pluda filed for divorce on December 2, 2008, accusing her husband of adultery and cruelty. Mr Moi in turn accused his wife of adultery and cruelty, claiming she had an affair with another man.

The matter is yet to be finalised.