BY NT CORRESPONDENT.
A divorce case between Meru Senator Franklin Mithinka Linturi and his estranged wife Maryanne Jebet Kitany will now be heard in Nairobi.
This was after Justice Abida Aroni, of the Family Division in Milimani, ruled that she has jurisdiction to hear the matter. The Judge dismissed an objection by Linturi that sought to have the matter heard in Meru.
Kitany had asked the court to have the matter transferred to Nairobi from Meru High Court. She said she claimed that her life was in danger, if the case was handled in Meru.
“The applicant is apprehensive that the respondent’s voters might harm her, should she travel to Meru,”said Kitany.
Through her lawyer Danstan Omari, Kitany claimed that after she filed the case and upon serving it to the senator, she received deaths threats which she reported at the DCI.
“That both the respondents and I reside in Nairobi and therefore the Milimani Chief Magistrate Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine the said Divorce petition,” she told the court.
Kitany filed the divorce case through lawyer Danstan Omari arguing that the Senator has failed to provide for her and had neglected her emotionally, affectionately and care among other issues.
She claimed that the lawmaker has lost all family values and has transferred his love and affection to other women.
On his part the Senator urged the court to dismiss the case saying that the court has no jurisdiction to grant divorce or any other matrimonial relief in the absence of a valid marriage between the two.
“The respondents has never celebrated a customary marriage or any other form of marriage with the petitioner as alleged in the petition,” claims Linturi.
She directed the case to be mentioned on March 28, for directions.
