Complete list of Kenya's politicians sued over child support

The move by Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya to sue her estranged husband, former Narok Majority Leader Stephen Kudate, seeking child maintenance and Sh3.1 million yearly upkeep is the latest prominent family feud to find itself in the corridors of justice. Their love affair, which later led to a seven-year cohabitation during which they were blessed with two children, fell apart after, according to the CS, Kudate deserted her for his first wife in 2020, became abusive, and stopped supporting their two children."We currently live separately after our association was frustrated and brought to a quick end by his continuous refusal to take responsibility towards upkeep and maintenance of the minors as well as violence, abuse, and infidelity," said Tuya.

As the hearing of the case is set to begin, Kenyans are likely to be treated to another round of child upkeep drama especially after Kudate allegedly demanded DNA tests in December 2022 to prove that the two kids are actually biologically his, according to Tuya's filings.In the past, other politicians, including senators, governors, and MPs, have similarly been taken before children's courts where their baby mamas demanded they stop being deadbeat dads.

1. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko

They include former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who was sued on May 12 last year in a Kajiado court by a woman who accused him of neglecting their 15-year-old daughter."The applicant and the respondent are the biological parents of the minor. The defendant has refused and or neglected to provide for the minor with adequate and or basic necessities such as education, good health food, clothing, shelter, entertainment, and medication," court papers filed by her lawyer Dan Okemwa read in part.She was demanding Sh448,450 in child maintenance, comprising of Sh50,000 for food and shopping, 45,000 for rent, 30,000 for security, 20,000 for clothing, 20,000 for househelp, Sh20,000 medical cover, Sh4,000 minor's salon expenses, Sh5,000 for DStv, Sh50,000 for minors school debit card and Sh5,000 for gas, among others. In addition, she wanted him instructed to pay Sh86,000 in fees, Sh30,450 in school-related expenses, and another Sh37,000 outstanding school fees balance.However, Sonko refused to budge and instead asked her to take the child to him so that he could take care of her, claiming she had two other children who were being taken care of by their father. The woman later withdrew the case due to what she called coercion.

 Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. [PHOTO: FILE]

2. Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi

Then there is the case of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, then senator, who was sued in 2018 by a woman who claimed he had abandoned their 10-year-old child. Winfred Wangui Kimani claimed in court papers that Wamatangi had only seen their daughter twice."When she was two months old and he gave me Sh7,000, and towards the end of 2007 when he was vying for a parliamentary seat.""He came home to see my mother with Sh20,000 and promised to pay for his daughter's upkeep," she said. The woman, who was formerly a househelp, further claimed Wamatangi had refused to pay Sh75,000 monthly upkeep."When I ask for child support, he erratically sends a sum of Sh3,000, which he sends after a long time and when he is pushed. I am jobless," the court papers added.We could not establish the current status of the suit.

3. Bungoma Governor Ken LusakaBungoma Governor Ken Lusaka was also sued in July 2018 for neglecting a child he sired out of wedlock but opted for an out-of-court settlement.

4. Former Trans Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba

In January this year, former Trans Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba was been ordered to pay a Ugandan woman Sh236,000 monthly for child upkeep. Elizabeth Aridru had told a Kitale court that Khaemba was absconding his fatherly obligations to the child they were blessed with in 2013. At around the same time, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina was sued by a woman, identified as Esther Wanjiru, who claimed he had neglected his responsibility as a father.tShe wanted the court to compel him to give her Sh350,000 monthly as upkeep.

5. Judge Charles Nyachae

In 2018, East African Court of Justice Judge Charles Nyachae was also sued by a woman, known as Esther Wamuyu Macharia, who accused him of neglecting his child born out of a one-night stand.In texts exposed by The Nairobian at the time, Wamuyu was demanding Sh100,000 monthly upkeep until their child reached 18 or a Sh20 million one-off payment, while Nyachae was only willing to part with Sh26,000 for school fees.

6. Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir

But the most interesting case is that of Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir, who in 2018 sought to ward off demands for child maintenance by going to court seeking custody. He wanted to take parental responsibility for the then two-and-a-half-year-old child he had sired outside marriage. On her part, however, the woman opposed the move and instead sought Sh240,000 monthly upkeep. She tabulated the amount to consist of Sh50,000 for rent, Sh18,000 for recreation, Sh30,00 for monthly food supplies, Sh40,000 for school fees, and Sh10,000 each for the house help's salary, security, school lunch, school transport, and transport. Further, Shabbir was to be instructed to pay Sh8,000 as electricity bill, Sh6,000 for water, and Sh28,000 for medical insurance.

7. Peter Gitau, Peter Kaluma and David Ole Sankok

Other former and current MPs who have been taken to court for allegedly failing to take care of their children include Peter Gitau (Mwea), Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay), and David Ole Sankok (Nominated). Gitau was sued by a woman who sought Sh1.2 million from the lawmaker in upkeep, claiming he had dumped her. Gitau denied the allegations contained in the suit filed before a Nairobi court, saying that he is a happily married family man.

In 2019, Peris Maina, 27, took Sankok to court for failing to take care of their baby despite claiming responsibility. She said they were in a relationship when Sankok operated a (medical) clinic in Narok for two years during which she got pregnant by him."I informed him that I was expecting his baby. He claimed responsibility and promised to take care of our baby. Following his assurance, I did not consider aborting the pregnancy," Ms Maina said in her court papers.

She added, "After giving birth in 2015, he has never called, texted, or received any of my phone calls. When the baby was three months old, I took him to his medical clinic and left him there. Sangkok, thereafter, asked his secretary at the clinic to call and assure me he would, henceforth, take care of the baby. He gave the woman some money. I went to his clinic and took the money and the child, hoping he would take care of him."