NAIROBI: A court has ordered police to provide security to a woman who had been kidnapped by her relatives for getting married to a man they did not like.
Justice George Odunga ordered Fatuma Abdi Mohamed, a woman who had complained of being separated from her lover of different faith, Anthony Omodho Ojowi, to continue staying with him.
The judge further directed Muthangari Police Station OCS to provide security to the couple, which has been threatened by the girl's parents on religious grounds.
Odunga was told that the life of Fatuma is at risk given the threats that have been issued by her parents.
The couple's lawyer Willis Werimo Echesa said Fatuma was abducted and unlawfully confined in Mandera against her will. "She requires the court's protection to enable her live peacefully as she was allegedly abducted by the parents and taken Mandera," said Echesa.
Fatuma, who was present in the court on Friday last week, told the judge she wanted to stay with her husband.
Ojowi said in a sworn affidavit that his wife was visiting a friend in Eastleigh on December 4, 2014, where she was kidnapped by her relatives. "The relatives have been opposed to our union, expressed disapproval and issued threats against our marriage," said Ojowi.
Ojowi said he was apprehensive given the background of the disagreement with his wife's relatives and the threats they have previously issued. He expressed fears over imminent danger, noting his wife was pregnant. "My captors are guarding me. I am in Mandera and locked up. I will be killed. I was driven by road to Mandera. Please save me," read an earlier message from Fatuma.
In the petition, Fatuma argued she was set to deliver in two weeks time and that her life was in danger. She also claimed she was being held against her will at her home in Mandera. She had been ordered to appear before the court so that her condition could be accessed.
Fatuma appeared before Odunga on Friday as the court had ordered. The matter will be mentioned on January 8 before Judge Isaac Lenaola.
In the same court, a man who allegedly murdered two people in Kiambu is expected to plead to the charges today.
James Mwangi Nzuki was first arraigned in court on Friday last week but could not plead to the charges because he did not have a representative.
He appeared before judge Odunga. Nzuki is alleged to have murdered Evaline Simaloi Okinda and Esther Njoki Karingu at Kihunguro village in Ruiru, Kiambu County on November 20, 2014.
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