A 52-year-old Kitale man whose marriage broke down has set a precedent when a court ordered his dowry of cows and goats returned.
He said he represented "men who suffer in silence" in unhappy marriages.
Wilberforce Saenyi Murunga and his elder brother Fred Matumbayi were overjoyed on Saturday at 9.30am when they were told to collect their animals at the Kiungani chief's office in Baraton.
"It was a great relief for me getting back my animals. I thank the court for granting my request," he told the Star in an interview in Kitale.
The court had ordered that he be given back his three cows, a she-goat and Sh20,000 paid to his in-laws.
He said he had paid Sh50,000, three Ayrshire heifers, one cross Ayrshire bullock, one she-goat, one pair of gumboots and a hat as the bride price on April 27, 2019, at his Bungoma home.
However, in the parties agreement Murunga forfeited one cow, Sh30,000 and the other items as a token of appreciation.
Murunga said his former wife had told him she would would "walk all over" his case but his determination kept him going.
"I believe everyone is equal before the law and your status does not matter."
He said that his in-laws were unable to provide all the animals and money due to the harsh economy. He told the Star the animals would be transported to his village home in Chwele, Bungoma, for the Balunda clan to confirm they are the original animals.
"Now that we are officially not husband and wife anymore, she is also free to move on since the dowry has been refunded," he said.
He called upon suffering men to step forward and and put their trust in the justice system.
On April 14, 2022, a Kitale court referred the case to mediation. Chief magistrate Julius Ng’arng'ar said if the matter was not settled, then Murunga would go back to the court for a judgment.
Murunga insisted in court it was his right to get back his dowry, arguing he was representing "men who suffer in silence".
The chief magistrate referred the case to court-annexed mediation for possible settlement. "I do not see anything difficult in resolving the matter. Let's try this first and if the matter is not settled, it will come back to me for judgment.
"Customarily, if we had a son, that is two cows and a girl is one cow. So I demand what is mine [and payment for] my sweat," Murunga said.
Murunga is expected this month to go back to the United States.
He sought a divorce from Irene Khaoya on the grounds that she had deserted their matrimonial home. The marriage was dissolved on October 12, 2021, by a Kitale court.
Murunga said in court documents filed on December 6, 2021, that he lived with his wife for about one year and six months when she started deserting their matrimonial home on several occasions.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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