Woman sues MP Benjamin Lagat for child neglect

Ainamoi Member of Parliament may soon have to part with over Sh100,000 every month, if the child upkeep suit filed against him by a woman claiming to be his ex-girlfriend is approved by the courts.

The woman, Martha Kengere, claims she cohabited with the chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Finance and Planning, Benjamin Lagat, throughout 2010.

In her affidavit through lawyer Peter Tanui, she claims that from relationship, she got pregnant and delivered a baby who is now four years old. Kengere seeks Sh30,000 for house rent every month and Sh20,000 for food. She also demands Sh20,000  for clothes and an additional Sh20,000 for miscellaneous expenses.

Kengere claims Lagat, who between 2005 and 2006 worked as an auditor at The Consolidated Bank of Kenya, has now shunned his parental responsibilities.

“Sometime in 2010, the defendant promised to marry the plaintiff and asked her to cohabit with him. In the circumstance, the defendant is asking the honourable court to issue and order the defendant to pay the plaintiff the following sums for the purposes of welfare and maintenance of the minor,” reads the court document.

Kengere also claims she is unemployed and wants the legislator, who has a masters degree in business administration from the University of Nairobi, to be compelled to pay Sh110,000 monthly upkeep.

Kengere, in her lawsuit, demands that Lagat, who previously worked as an accountant with Kenya Tea Development Authority and Chai Trading, should be compelled by the court to pay school fees for the child until he turns eight years old.

Lagat was a lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology before he plunged into politics.

Lagat also has a degree in commerce (accounting option) from the University of Nairobi and is a second-term MP.