Kirima’s widow married, alleges daughter

By WAHOME THUKU

The fight over the late business tycoon Gerishon Kirima’s wealth has taken a new twist following claims that his youngest widow, Ms Teresia Wairimu, is married to another man.

Kirima’s children also claim that Wairimu has transferred their father’s prime land in Nairobi to her Tanzanian husband, Mr Stephen Ngonyani.

Kirima’s daughter, Ms Anne Wangari further alleges that between September 1, 2009 and February 8 last year, Wairimu has sent Ngonyani Sh5.1 million through M-Pesa. The allegations are made in an affidavit sworn and filed in court by Wangari.

Solemnised

The affidavit was sworn before lawyer Cyprian Onyony and filed in court through Rachier and Amollo Advocates.

Wangari, who is one of the interim administrators of the Kirima property, claims Wairimu was married to Ngonyani alias Maji Marefu on September 22, 2003.

The marriage was allegedly solemnised at Korogwe in Tanga, Tanzania with Wairimu assuming the name Aisha Shedrak. Wangari tells the court that the Islamic marriage was conducted by Ahamedi Mrisho and Alhaji Sheikh on behalf of the National Muslim Council in Tanzania.

She has produced copies of the alleged marriage certificate from Tanzania and transcripts of the mobile cash transfer. Official search documents also filed in court indicate that part of the land was transferred to Ngonyani on May 6, 2005 as a gift.

It is now registered under Wairimu and Ngonyani.

Never dissolved

Wangari also argued that Kirima wedded Agnes Waruguru on December 11, 1954 at the AIM Kijabe Mission Church and the marriage was never dissolved up to his death.

"As such, he had no legal capacity to marry Wairimu in customary marriage," she told the court.Wangari says the marriage between Wairimu and Ngonyani was legal and valid and amounted to a complete change of residence from Kenya to Tanzania.

The marriage certificate between the two was allegedly recovered in Kirima’s Kitsuru residence. Wairimu’s signature on the certificate was allegedly confirmed by a Kenyan Government forensic examiner, Mr Antipas Nyanjwa who has also made his statement to court.

Wangari reasons that since Wairimu’s father was called Shedrack Ndei, this led her to adopt the name Aisha Shedrack. The case will be heard at the Milimani High Court Monday.