“I never believed I’d win this case,” a man exclaims as the court compels his former in-laws to pay his money following a failed marriage.

Following the dissolution of his marriage, a Kenyan court granted a 52-year-old man’s dowry restitution request.

The man married his estranged wife, Irine Khasoa, in 2017, but their marriage was annulled in Kitale in 2021.

After his two-year marriage to their daughter fell apart, the man named as Wilberforce Murunga hauled his former in-laws to Kitale chief magistrate in December 2021, asking a dowry refund involving cash, three cows, one she-goat, a pair of gumboots, and a hat.

Wilberforce stated that his wife abandoned their marital house after one year and six months of marriage, and that he was entitled to a return because he had paid the dowry according to Bukusu norms.

“I paid Sh50,000 for the bride price, which included three Ayrshire heifers, one cross Ayrshire bullock, one she-goat, a pair of gumboots, and a cap.” He said, “I have a copy of the dowry bargaining agreement that was counter-signed by representatives from both families.”

He claimed that his mother-in-law and her daughter colluded to cheat him of his hard-earned money in front of Kitale Chief Magistrate Julius Ngar.

Wilberforce was ordered to return three cows, a she-goat, and KSh 20,000 by the Kitale mediation court on Saturday, May 14, 2022.
Wilberforce and his brother Fred Matumbayi then went to Kiungani’s office in Baraton to collect the animals and money from his in-laws.
Murunga said he was relieved that justice had finally been delivered after being repaid.

According to him,

“I am ecstatic and relieved that the court has upheld my rights. I never expected to win this lawsuit because the aggressor is a lawyer, and I thank God for that.”

The joyful man also challenged males who have been suffering in silence to go out of their comfort zones and put their faith in the legal system.