A 25-year-old man from Kayole, Nairobi, has denied damaging his wife's clothes and shoes valued at Sh60,000, telling the court that on the very day of his arrest, his wife had just given birth to twins.
Moses Mugunda Odongo appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Paul Rotich at the Makadara Law Courts, where he faced charges of malicious damage to property belonging to his wife, Diana Odhiambo.
According to the charge sheet, Odongo allegedly tore and shredded assorted clothing and shoes belonging to the complainant on August 29 at Solace area in Kayole Sub-County.
The court heard that the couple had been having frequent disputes before the incident. Diana, who was pregnant at the time, had travelled to her rural home for treatment with her mother's support after Odongo allegedly failed to settle her medical bills in a Nairobi hospital.
While away, she reportedly received a phone call from a woman who accused Odongo of badmouthing her. When Diana confronted him, Odongo allegedly dismissed her, telling her to collect her belongings as he no longer needed her services as a wife.
Despite her condition, Diana returned to Nairobi to pack her belongings. She found the house unlocked and began moving her property. However, Odongo allegedly stormed in, grabbed her phone and smashed it before threatening to set the house on fire with a lighter. Neighbours intervened, calming the situation.
The following morning, Diana returned to the house but was met by Odongo carrying a bag at the gate. He allegedly told her to "sort herself out." Inside, she discovered her clothes had been torn into pieces, prompting her to report to the police. Odongo was arrested shortly after.
When presented before court, Odongo pleaded for leniency, saying his wife had just delivered twins on the day of his arrest.
"Your honour, I now have three children after my wife gave birth following my arrest. She has not been discharged and there is no one to help her out. I seek for leniency," he told the magistrate.
The court granted him a cash bail of Sh50,000 or an equivalent bond. The case will be heard on October 22.