Domestic violence: Coast politician's marriage fails, again

Mombasa politician, Gordon Omondi Teti protest at Nyali in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango,Standard] Mombasa politician Jackson Gordon Teti suffered a significant setback when a Mombasa court dissolved his second marriage due to domestic violence. His first marriage was also dissolved by a court in Canada's Queen's Beach 10 years ago after it was established that he was abusive and violent towards his first wife. In the second marriage, a Mombasa court issued a ruling three days ago, ending Teti's marriage to Veronica Akinyi Rapul, which was solemnised in 2018 at Mombasa's Marriage Registrar's Office. Teti is also facing an assault charge after allegedly beating Akinyi. The assault case is scheduled to be heard on February 11, at Shanzu Law Court. In her ruling, Mombasa Principal Magistrate Lucy Sindani stated that there was clearly no love left to salvage between Teti and Akinyi. The court noted that the couple had attempted reconciliation, but it had failed, and that there was no hope of rekindling their relationship. According to the principal magistrate, the petitioner testified that the politician had physically, sexually, and emotionally abused her. She further ruled that the petitioner provided a detailed account of how the respondent had been cruel to her, as stated in her statement and petition to the court. "In light of the above decision, this court finds that it is in the best interests of the parties to dissolve their marriage, as it will also serve the greater interests of justice. Therefore, this court declares the marriage solemnised between the petitioner and the respondent on September 26, 2018, dissolved. A decree nisi dissolving the marriage is hereby issued. The decree nisi shall be made absolute thirty (30) days from the date of this judgment," the principal magistrate ruled. She further noted that the hostility shown by both parties during the hearing and cross-examination demonstrated that the marriage had broken down and was serving no useful purpose. Veronica, in her affidavit filed for the divorce, stated that the respondent, Gordon, had been abusive to the extent of threatening to kill her and flee the country. The petitioner's affidavit, filed by her lawyer Duncan Osoro at the Mombasa court, further stated that Gordon, who vied for the Nyali MP seat in the last general election before later withdrawing, holds a Canadian passport. She expressed fear that he might carry out his threats of killing her and escaping to Canada, where he is a citizen. She also testified that Gordon would take her debit and credit cards to purchase alcoholic beverages, which led her into significant debt, forcing her to return the credit card to the bank. "He picks fights from nowhere and hurls insults of all kinds towards me and the children, irrespective of the environment. He has been utterly insulting and uses foul language towards me without any justifiable cause," Veronica stated in her affidavit. The court, while delivering its judgment, noted that both parties attended the hearing. However, the session became chaotic, and the matter proceeded without the respondent filing a response. Despite this, Teti was allowed to cross-examine the petitioner, though he refused to provide any rebuttal testimony. He instead demanded for documents he had requested from the petitioner before leaving the court. Veronica also testified that Teti had been physically and emotionally abusive, not only towards her, but also the children and domestic workers, causing her physical harm, mental anguish, and psychological trauma. The court noted that the couple married in September 2018, and Teti travelled abroad until 2019. From the evidence provided, the marriage had experienced significant difficulties, as outlined by the petitioner in her testimony. The court also observed the respondent's aggressive behaviour during the hearing and concluded that, based on the evidence presented, the marriage had irreparably broken down.

Domestic violence: Coast politician's marriage fails, again

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