Dirty list: Famous people caught in child support claims
The Sh100,000 child support suit against Bishop David Muriithi has placed him in the hall of fame along Senate speaker Ken Lusaka, businessman Pius Ngugi, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and Governor Mike Sonko, who have all been dragged to court to pay upkeep for estranged lovers.
Bishop Muriithi, a renowned televangelist of House of Grace Church has been sued by unnamed woman demanding money for salon, rent, shopping, school fees, entertainment utilities and toys for her two-year-old son.
She said the man of God was excited about the pregnancy and was financially supportive but all went south when the child was born.
She says that their child is now of school-going age therefore the Bishop should take responsibility and cater for his basic needs.
Child support cases in Kenya involving famous people in positions of leadership have been on the increase, with politicians being the most targeted for neglecting the children they sired.
Child support is mandatory for a man whether one is legally married or not.
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Recently Senate speaker Ken Lusaka sailed on the same boat and was sued Kes25 million by a woman who claims to be pregnant for him. The lady alleged that she had an affair with Lusaka since 2018 culminating in the pregnancy.
In 2003, Kenyan businessman Pius Ngugi faced a lawsuit made by Esther Passaris for a breach of promise to marry, demanding a monthly allowance of Kes200,000 and a car to take their children to and from school.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula was sued by Ms Agnes Nduku for child support and upkeep in 2013.
He had sired a child out of his matrimonial union and had failed to provide for the needs of the child.
Mr Wetangula was ordered to pay Kes270,000 as maintenance fees and an additional Kes120,000 annual fee meant for the child’s clothing and other needs.
Ousted Governor Mike Sonko was also sued by Josephine Thuku for child support. Josephine demanded a monthly maintenance amount of Kes140, 000 that included food and upkeep, as well as medical expenses and house allowance.
Sonko agreed to pay the amount and emphasized that he was paying school fees for his child.