Linturi’s lawyers put Kitany to task on marriage

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi (left) talks to his lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu at a Milimani court yesterday. [George Njunge, Standard]

Former chief of staff at deputy president’s office Marianne Kitany was yesterday put to task to shed more light on the allegations she was married to Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, and that he stole from her family.

During cross-examination by Linturi’s lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu, Kitany was asked why there were many inconsistencies on the dates of the alleged marriage ceremony.

In her documents that were later amended, she had indicated that she was married on April 16, 2016 but she told the court that it was an error and the ceremony was held on March 26, 2016.

“I have filed an affidavit in court indicating that our marriage with Linturi was held in Nandi on March 26, 2016,”said Kitany.

Kitany through her lawyer Danstan Omari had objected to cross-examination based on documents she had filed in other courts.

Mr Omari told the court that Linturi’s lawyers could not cross-examine Kitany on a matter before another court because when his client raised the issue of fraud in her testimony, it was objected.

Prof George Wajakoya, who is also acting for Linturi, asked Kitany whether she was mentally stable because she was not willing to answer many of the questions.

“Your honour you need to intervene because the witness is rude and not willing to answer questions, she needs to see a psychiatrist,” added Wajakoya.

Kitany told the court that matters of the heart cannot be questioned, adding that she entered into a relationship with Linturi because she trusted him.

“Relationships are about trust and that is the key pillar. I trusted Linturi,” Kitany said.

She denied engaging or luring (trapping) the senator into sexual activities at Sopa Lodge in Naivasha with an aim of getting his properties.

She dismissed claims by Linturi’s lawyers that the senator has never been to Sopa Lodge.

“Are you aware that Linturi has never set foot in Sopa Lodge?” Muthomi asked.

“We were together with Linturi and even went there after that,” replied Kitany.

Further, she said they obtained properties together as a family, sticking to her earlier statements that she was married to Linturi.

Kitany said there are experts who will testify in the case that some of her witnesses have been threatened by the lawmaker, adding that Linturi stole her relatives’ title deeds to secure loans.

“I will stick to my testimony, Hon Linturi stole properties belonging to my relatives,” the court heard.

Dressed in a burgundy dress, Kitany accused the Meru senator of fraud by taking the documents without her permission and forging petition to show that he was in the process of divorcing Mercy Kaimenyi.

“He picked them without my permission and secured a loan, he forged the signatures,” the court heard.

Bought land

On the issue of her wealth, she said she earned her money, invested and bought pieces of land.

She testified that after she was fired from the deputy president’s office, she started working as a CEO at Atticon Limited, adding that Linturi used to pay her “little money”.

“I had money prior to joining the office of the DP,” Kitany said.

Thiankolu asked Kitany whether she was aware that no money was paid for her dowry.

“My parents will confirm whether they were given money as dowry or not,” she said. Hearing continues tomorrow.