By Alvin Wafula
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness – Desmond Tutu.
Mrs. Kinangare Ene Sunyai is the second wife to Mr. Kimincha Ole Sunyai. Mr. Kimincha, her husband, refused to allocate her a share of the property [land, cows, home] for two reasons: Mrs. Kinangare had not borne him any children and she was raising Mr. Kimincha’s nephew, Alex Letina, as her adopted son. Mrs. Kinangare took Alex in and raised him as his son when his biological mother, Mr. Kimincha’s sister, refused to take responsibility for him.
Mrs. Kinangare complained to the Transmara Paralegal network (the network), requesting assistance in getting her rightful share as the second wife. The network convened several meetings, including one held in her home, to establish if the complaint was genuine.
Upon confirming that the complaint was genuine, the network requested ICJ Kenya for assistance to arrive at a solution. Subsequently, a meeting was convened on 18June 2021 that coincided with ICJ Kenya’s visit to the Transmara paralegal office.
All parties attended the meeting and Mr. Kimincha Ole Sunyai agreed that:
- Mrs. Kinangare would remain with all her land as initially allocated to her by her husband
- Alex Letina, the adopted son of Mrs. Kinangare, would stay with her in the home and support her in all that she required.
- Mrs. Kinangare would be given all the cattle entitled to her.
- Mr. Kimincha would complete the construction of the house he was building for Mrs. Kinangare to move in with her adopted son Alex Letina. https://youtu.be/hbQbCc-lEuk
