A Nairobi family court has allowed a businessman to suspend his monthly upkeep payments to his ex-girlfriend, citing allegations of financial mismanagement.
The two, who share a 10-year-old son, separated when the child was seven years old.
For the past two years, the man, aged 42, had been sending regular amounts through MPESA ranging between KSh35,000 and KSh65,500 directly to the woman, alongside additional contributions for school fees and health insurance.
However, he began suspecting that his former partner was misappropriating the funds meant for their son’s welfare.
Court documents reveal that despite the significant sums sent monthly, the woman failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the expenditures.
A troubling pattern emerged when the child, during his visits with his father, revealed inconsistencies about his living conditions.
The rent, for example, was reported to be significantly lower than what the businessman had sent.
This raised red flags about the woman’s financial stewardship.
In the face of mounting evidence, including MPESA transaction records, the court ruled that the woman had only used a fraction of the funds for the child’s needs, violating the terms of an agreement they had both signed in 2022.
As a result, the judge granted the father temporary custody of their son, affirming that he was capable of providing a stable and suitable environment for the child.
Additionally, the court has ordered the woman to provide detailed proof of how the money was spent according to the signed agreement.
Unless she can justify her expenditures, the suspension of payments will remain in effect, and the father will retain primary custody.
