Jackline Kivele Munguti in the dock at the Makadara Law Courts where she was charged with assaulting Victor Kimuyu.

By Gabriel Somba

A 48 years old man who was allegedly assaulted and injured by his wife made an emotional appeal to a Makadara court to protect him from a supposedly abusive wife who he said is slowly finishing him.

Victor Mwitiki Kimuyu pleaded with Chief Magistrate Beatrice Kimemia to release him on very lenient bail and bond terms after he was charged with assaulting his estranged wife.

His wife, Jackline Kivele Munguti had also been charged at the same court a few minutes before Kimuyu’s turn on the dock.

They are both charged with unlawfully assaulting and causing actual bodily harm to each other in contravention to section 251 of the Penal Code.

They fought in Kimuyu’s house in Tassia estate, Embakasi on June 19.

Kimuyu who appeared frail told Kimemia that he has suffered heavily under his wife’s alleged brutality, adding that Ms Munguti has defied orders restraining her from accessing Kimuyu’s home and any other space.

He shared with Ms Kimemia, a copy of the court orders barring Ms Munguti from coming closer to Munguti or his premises and said the orders have not been enough to protect him from his wife.

“I beg this court to help me. I have suffered enough,” stated Kimuyu who struggled to speak.

The businessman told the court that he is suffering from hypertension and is solely taking care of and educating his three children aged 16, 10 and four after the end of his relationship with Ms Munguti.

The two fought inside Kimuyu’s house in Tassia Estate, Nairobi but Kimuyu insists he is the victim and his wife the villain. But Ms Munguti also denied the charges of assaulting Kimuyu.

Kimuyu told the court that his uncle had hired a house help to take care of the three children as he came to court and prayed for leniency so that he can go home and raise school fees for the children who are going back to school in two weeks’ time.

He had been released on a police cash bail of Sh8000 and prayed that the same be retained as cash bail in court and Ms Kimemia agreed.

Kimuyu had returned home at around 5pm only to find some chairs missing from the house.

His estranged wife turned up at half past 10pm and a quarrel ensued after Kimuyu learnt that Ms Munguti had given out the chairs. A tussle followed during which Kimuyu says he was assaulted.

The two were separated by the neighbours who intervened and the same was reported to police. The police later recommended assault charges against the two where they are complainants to each other.

Ms Munguti was released on a bond of Sh100, 000 and an alternative cash bail of Sh30, 000.

Her case will be mentioned on August 27 before hearing starts on December 31 while that of Kimuyu will be mentioned on September 4 before hearing starts on October 29.

The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) promised to review the prosecution file with a view of withdrawing charges against Kimuyu.