The Kitale Court allowed a 52-year-old man’s request for dowry repayment from his in-laws, which was a major victory for him.
Mr Wilberforce Saenyi Murunga and his brother Fred Matumbayi went to Kiungani at the Chief’s office in Baraton on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. to pick up his three cows and a goat from his in-laws.
This comes after a Kitale mediation court ordered Mr Murunga to take back three cows, a she-goat, and Sh20,000.
Murunga had originally paid Sh50,000 for the bride price, which included three Ayrshire heifers, one cross Ayrshire bullock, one she-goat, one pair of gumboots, and a hat. On April 27, 2019, he died at his Bungoma residence.
Mr Murunga, on the other hand, agreed to give up one cow and Sh30,000 in the undersigned parties’ agreement.
“I am excited and happy that the court has done justice for me. Since the aggressor happens to be a lawyer I never thought I would win this case and I thank God,” Mr Murunga told the Nation.
According to Murunga, his ex-wife had told him that she would walk over the case but his determination kept him going “and I believe everyone is equal before the law does not matter your status”.
He says that his in laws were unable to provide all the animals and money due to the harsh economy.
The animals would be transported to his village home in Chwele, Bungoma for the Balunda clan to confirm.
“Now we are officially not husband and wife anymore. She is free to move on and likewise since the dowry has been refunded back,” he explained.
He called upon men suffering in silence to come out of their comfort zone and trust in court for justice.
April 14, 2022, a Kitale court referred the case to mediation.
Chief Magistrate Julius Ng’arng’ar said that a court mediator would be appointed to settle the matter.
If the matter is not settled, it will go back to the court for a judgment, he said.
Mr Murunga insisted in court that it is his right to get back his dowry, arguing that he was representing men who suffer in silence.
Wilberforce Murunga, 52, at a Kitale Court which referred his dowry refund demand case for mediation at the court – annexed mediation section, for possible settlement.
Chief Magistrate Julius Ng’arng’ar told the court that a court mediator would be appointed to settle the matter.
“I have decided to refer this case to court annexed mediation for possible settlement. I do not see anything difficult in resolving the matter. Let’s try this one first and in the event the matter is not settled then it will come back to me for judgment,” the magistrate said.
Mr Wilberforce Murunga insisted in court that it is his right to get back his dowry, arguing that he was representing men who suffer in silence.
“I had issues with my ex-wife, like children. Customarily, if we had a son, that is two cows and a girl that is one cow. So I demand what is mine and my black sweat,” he said.
Mr Murunga is expected to go back to the United States in May.
He sought divorce from Irine Khasoa on the grounds that she had deserted their matrimonial home. The marriage was dissolved on October 12, 2021 by a Kitale court.
He said in court documents filed on December 6, 2021 that he lived with his ex-wife for about one year and six months when she started deserting their matrimonial home on several occasions.
