The divorce case of a couple who is in contention of their daughter's dowry will proceed at the Nakuru High Court after they unsuccessfully failed to resolve their disputes outside the court.
The couple identified as Joel Langat and Joyce Chemutai is reported to have been separated for more than 20 years until October 2018 when Ms Chemutai filed a suit seeking to divorce her husband after their efforts to reconcile bore no fruits.
In her suit, Ms Chemutai told the court that her husband was demanding a share of their daughter's dowry yet she has been taking care of the children alone.
“We have been separated for more than 20 years. We were joined together on January 31, 1992, at the office of the Registrar of Marriages after living together for years,” reads Chemutai's suit as quoted by the Nation.
Ms Chemutai in her suit further told the court that her husband had abandoned her with no legitimate reason hence denying her an opportunity to enjoy her marriage.
“The respondent deserted the petitioner without cause or consent. He withdrew from cohabitation with the petitioner and denied her the conjugal rights at their matrimonial home in Salgaa, Rongai, in Nakuru county,” further reads the suit.
Nakuru Senior Resident Magistrate Yvonne Khatambi on Thursday said that the court had received a suit filed by 65-year-old Ms Chemutai through her lawyer seeking to divorce 72-year-old Lang'at as their efforts of sharing their daughter's dowry had hit the wall.
In her suit, Ms Chemutai claimed that their marriage was beyond saving and asked the court to hurriedly schedule the hearing.
Magistrate Khatambi said the case will be mentioned on August 27, 2019.
In response to his wife's suit, Mr Lang'at allegedly accused his wife of desertion, saying she was unfaithful and had denied him the chance to live with his children.