Twists and turns as Eldoret magistrate seeks to divorce lawyer
Eldoret Resident Magistrate Diana Wikunza Milimu had filed a case before Kakamega Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng' but she withdrew it last week. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Eldoret Resident Magistrate Diana Wikunza Milimus case to end a purported seven-year marriage was filed at a Kapsabet court and will be heard on November 14.
- Her alleged husband, Kakamega-based lawyer Edwin Wawire Wafula, dismisses the claim that they were married and says the magistrate's seven-year-old child is not his.
- Wafula dismisses an annexure of a hand-written signature in a marriage agreement in 2012 under Luhya customary laws, saying he did not attend any dowry negotiations.
Eldoret Resident Magistrate Diana Wikunza Milimu has filed for a divorce from Kakamega-based lawyer Edwin Wawire Wafula citing adultery, desertion and cruelty, among other claims.
Ms Milimu's case to end a purported seven-year union was filed at a Kapsabet court and will be heard on November 14.
She accuses Mr Wafula of psychological torture and denying her conjugal rights, adding, their differences are irreconcilable.
ACCUSATIONS
The magistrate says Mr Wafula spends a lot of time outside their home without informing her and does not provide for the family as a husband and father should.
“I have suffered stress and anguish because of violent tendencies and adulterous behaviour, which have resulted in a broken marriage," states the petition filed by lawyer Isiaho Sawe.
The magistrate further accuses the lawyer of chasing her out of their home at night, thereby putting her life in danger.
She also says she has been sidelined in matters concerning the family.
The magistrate also sued the lawyer on behalf of the child, seeking upkeep and other expenses.
"NO MARRIAGE"
In his response, Mr Wafula dismisses the claim that he and Ms Milimu were married, saying, the magistrate's seven-year-old child is not his.
The lawyer stated his position in an affidavit filed at the Kapsabet court through lawyer Derek Mango.
He dismisses an annexure of a hand-written signature in a marriage agreement in 2012 under Luhya customary laws, saying, he did not attend any dowry negotiations at the petitioner's home.
“Neither did I append my signature to the alleged marriage agreement,” he says, adding, a DNA test should establish the child's paternity.
The annexure says elders who represented Mr Wafula made a Sh50,000 down payment and promised to take six cows as the pride price
Ms Milimu had filed a case before Kakamega Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng' but she withdrew it last week.
Mr Ochieng' ordered the magistrate to pay Mr Wafula costs of the suit in which she contested ownership of a property worth Sh15 million.
