Kwale woman sues Sonko for upkeep of two kids
A court in Kwale County has given Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko 15 days to respond to allegations concerning child maintenance filed against him.
The case was filed by Josephene Wanjeri Thuku who is purported to have sired two children with the senator before their love affair turned sour.
In her court papers, she claims to require sh140, 000 per month from the Senator for maintenance and care of her two children. Out of the amount, sh100, 000 is for food and upkeep monthly, Sh10, 000 for clothing monthly, Sh10, 000 medical expenses monthly and Sh20, 000 house rent.
She further wants the Senator to make adequate contribution towards education and additional medical expenses as and when the same may arise.
According to Ms Thuku, their relationship started way back when she was in college and she had the Senator’s son on August 17, 1999 out of wedlock.
After a while, the two broke up but the Senator persistently continued to seek for her love even after they had become estranged to each other.
To reward Mr Sonko’s increasing persistence to win her back, she decided to give him a second chance which resulted to a second child who was born on May 21, 2008.
She claimed Senator Sonko used to take complete care of his children until he stopped for reasons she never has known.
“His inconsistent, unreliable and insufficient assistance in maintenance of the children subjected me to unbearable burden since I am not employed and not capable to meet their needs,” her court papers state.
Ms Thuku claimed that due to the neglect by the Senator, there are pending school fees and rent arrears that she could not raise alone resulting to the interruption and interference of the children education and development.
She explained that her efforts to take the matter to the Kwale District Children’s office for an amicable settlement of the matter did not bear fruit due to the Senator’s refusal to co-operate.
“I am incapable of providing for the needs of the children without his assistance. His persistent neglect and intimidation is what made me move the suit,” she said.
The case was filed on May 5, 2014 by Ms Thuku herself and the documents included were copies of birth certificates for both children and a copy of a letter from the District Children officer.