Man seeking dowry refund says he fears for his life

A man who is seeking a dowry refund from his former in-laws after divorcing his wife now says he fears for his life.

Wilberforce Saenyi Murunga, 52, has reported receiving threatening calls and messages demanding that he abandons the cause or face an early death.

Since his story was highlighted in the media, he has expressed fear after receiving messages from unknown persons. 

One of the messages said: "Now you think the media will help you get to back your bride price? You he will not live to achieve your goal."

“Now I am wondering because it is my constitutional right to get back what is rightful mine. You give Caesar what belongs to him,” he told the Nation.

He has since reported the matter at Kitale police Station under OB39/23/12/2021.

Additionally, Bukusu elders have warned him against taking the case to court, saying it should be resolved by them.

Broken home

Mr Murunga filed a divorce case against his wife Irine Khasoa on grounds that she had deserted their matrimonial home. The marriage was dissolved on October 12 by a Kitale Court.

But Mr Murunga, who married Ms Khasoa in 2017 and paid her dowry as per Bukusu customary law, has insisted that he wants the bride price back after the marriage hit the rocks less than two years later.

“I paid Sh50,000, three Ayrshire heifers, one cross Ayrshire bullock, one she goat, a pair of gumboots and a hat as bride price. I have a copy of the dowry negotiation agreement which was countersigned by representatives of both families,” he told the Nation.

According to Murunga, he had travelled to the US for studies but cut short his education to return home.

"My wife was the reason I came back after two years in the United States. I used to send her money, but when she told me to return home and sire children with her, I just had to come home," he told the Nation in an interview.

“I lived with my ex-wife for about one year and six months when she started deserting our matrimonial home on several occasions,” he says in the court documents filed on December 6, 2021.

He is seeking the refund from his mother-in-law. In the suit, he has also demanded interest on the cash and property.

He says he is committed to getting his bride price paid back in full since they did not sire any children, which would have seen only a fraction of it returned in line with Bukusu customary law.

“This is something that has been there since our forefathers. Whenever you divorce with a woman whom you did not have children you are supposed to get back animals given as bride price or else you will be deemed to be still married to the woman even if you have divorced her legally,” he explained.

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