Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo Mabona has declared that she will in the coming days sponsor an amendment to the Marriage Act that will compel all men to publicly declare their children sired in and out of wedlock.
According to the legislator, if successful, the amendment will force men to declare their children while alive and in cases where they fail to do so, it will be legal for their mothers to declare the child/children when they are dead.
“I am bringing an amendment to the Marriage Act compelling all men to publicly declare their children in and out of wedlock while alive and incase they don’t, the mothers should declare,” the legislator wrote on her Facebook page.
This comes in the wake of new revelations that the late Kibra Member of Parliament Ken Okoth had a five-year-old son with a Jubilee nominated MCA identified as Anita Thumbi.
Read: Ken Okoth Included Son With Jubilee Nominated MCA In Will
On Thursday, Ms Thumbi obtained court orders stopping planned cremation or burial of the MP until the case is heard and determined.
Millie Odhiambo stated that the amendment of the act will prevent such drama in the future.
“Mourning with shocks and counter shocks can cause another funeral,” she wrote.
Ms Thumbi’s issue was brought up by Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi who said late Okoth’s immediate family had sidelined teh MCA and her baby.
Sonko demanded that the family should recognise the boy.
“Ken will not forgive me if I don’t save the situation. Ken fell in love with a nurse called Anita from the Sonko rescue team. In 2017, he asked me to help him nominate his second wife to the County Assembly and. Out of respect for him, I nominated Ann Thumbi, ” revealed Sonko.
Read Also: “It Is Against Luo Tradition!” Late Ken Okoth’s Paternal Family Oppose Cremation Plans
At the same time, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka faulted the court’s decision, maintaining that the judiciary should adopt arbitration in such issues.
“I also want to ask the judiciary to try arbitration in these issues, even Chief Justice David Maraga is always clear on these issues. Why do you want to stop us from giving the late Okoth a befitting send-off?
“This is improper, it can be negotiated, my brother Raila Odinga sort it out! I know you have even tried to do so, ” said Musyoka at Moi Girls High School, Woodley in Kiberaduring during the late Okoth’s second memorial service.
The Wiper party leader, who doubles up as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s special peace envoy to South Sudan, reiterated the need to have the two families reach an amicable agreement.
Read Also: “Try Arbitration!” Kalonzo Faults Court Order Stopping Ken Okoth’s Final Journey
“Stop rushing to courts, nothing shall happen. For respect of the late Ken Okoth, this should be resolved, talk to Okoth’s mother, ” said the wiper leader.
Monica Okoth is the recognized wife of the late MP who succumbed to cancer last week on Friday.
Okoth’s mother Angelina Ajwang’ on Monday told reporters that her son did not sire any children outside his marriage with Monica.
Millie Odhiambo’s post elicited mixed reactions.
Elija Shockey wrote, “Women should also accept to live with our kids from mpangos. We do take them in with kids from their previous relationships but hao hawataki.”
Anne Gathumbi said, “True that Mhesh. These public declarations are recipe for heart attacks.”
Read Also: Jeff Koinange To Rename Library Facility At Mbagathi Girls In Honour Of Late Ken Okoth
Arnold Nyakwar Okal wrote, ” …..and majority of people to pass this amendment are the ones doing everything possible to keep the whole issue ‘chini ya maji’.Frank David Ochieng The mothers can go ahead and declare. As for men, we will remain to be men and when we die we have famous send-off. May God give Hon. Ken Okoth’s family the strength to continue with his strong legacy!”
Frank David Ochieng said, “The mothers can go ahead and declare. As for men, we will remain to be men and when we die we have famous send-off. May God give Hon. Ken Okoth’s family the strength to continue with his strong legacy!”
JaSuba Ma Jawasamo said, “Mheshimiwa you’ll need to include women too on this. There is need for them to declare any children they have prior to getting into a marriage. There are cases of women lying about this before getting married only to bring this later.”
Elisha Ngiga opined, “In that amendment, let women also declare their previous affairs.”
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