BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
Human Rights defenders have faulted a magistrate’s court for awarding “exorbitant” fees to a woman after a tussle over children’s custody.
Three kids belonging to Joseph Wanjohi Murimi and Grace Wachera Githinji rejected their biological mother last week after she won a case seeking their custody.
Residents of Thika Road around TRM Mall were treated to Drama when Joseph Wanjohi was forced to drop the kids at the Mall so that they could be picked up by their Mother.
The case, which was filed at Kiambu law courts, children case no 21 of 2019 and was presided over by Senior Principal Magistrate B. Nyangena has got the attention of many people.
The court granted the woman access to the two boys and a girl.
The kids are aged between 11 and 3 years.
The court compelled Joseph Wanjohi Murimi to pay Grace shs 100,000 house rent, shs 5,000 water , shs10,000 electricity, food and basic house expenses shs 50,000 , weekend outings for kids shs 40,000 , watchman salary shs 15,000 , car maintenance shs 50,000 , fuel shs 40,000 , clothing’s for the three kids shs 60,000 and miscellaneous shopping shs 30,000.
Senior Magistrate B Nyangena also awarded Grace shs 600,000 annually for holiday for the three kids and annual car insurance of sh 250,000.
“School fees and school related expenses for all the children as per the fee structures of the current school where they are studying namely Green Cottage Academy and Mt Kenya Academy,” read the court order.
The orders given on 22nd May 2020, also required that both parents stay with the kids at least 2 weeks each before schools re-open.
In a video that has gone viral, the kids were heard saying they will not go with their mum because they do not know her.
The husband said she abandoned him and the kids in 2018.
The defenders led by lawyer Moses Macharia said the fees are exorbitant.
“We want the magistrate to withdraw from the case. Let somebody else take it up. The figures are simply crazy,” he said.
He added that they will help Wanjohi file an appeal.
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