By Evelyn Kwamboka and wahome Thuku

Housing Minister Soita Shitanda has been ordered to pay for the upkeep of a set of twins he sired out of wedlock.

Mr Shitanda, who was given joint custody with the mother of the twins, is to pay Sh40,000 for the monthly upkeep and cater for their school fees and medical expenses.

Trial magistrate EW Mgugua also ordered the minister and the woman to bear the cost of expenses they incurred in the case.

The twins’ mother said she was dissatisfied with the order and would appeal.

In the case, the Malava MP was alleged to have been providing for the children on and off since May 17, 2001. Their mother also said he paid school fees for them on two occasions last year.

The woman was seeking a claim that the MP maintains the children.

In his defence filed in court, Shitanda said he had not failed in his responsibilities.

Through Orengo and Company Advocates, Shitanda said he assumed and continues to maintain a share of responsibility over the children.

The MP said his employer, the National Assembly, provides the twins’ medical cover.

Separately, the trial of former Tourism PS Rebecca Nabutola was adjourned to next month as the prime witness was sitting examinations.

The Kenya Tourism Board’s Administration Head Tabitha Topirian was expected to continue testifying from where she stopped in July.

Nabutola is facing five counts of conspiring to defraud the Tourism ministry of more than Sh8 million, abusing her office and violating procurement law.

She is charged together with former KTB Chief Executive Officer Ong’ong’a Achieng and a board member Duncan Kaguru.

The alleged offences were in relation to a tourism promotion tour organised by the ministry for PSs at the Masai Mara Game Reserve in October 2007.

Nabutola is accused of abusing office by appointing a private firm to co-ordinate transport to the game reserve and instructing the Catering and Tourism Development Levy Trustees to make the payments.

The offences were allegedly committed between June and December 2007.

The three accused are out on Sh500,000 cash bail each.