Woman cries foul as husband sells family land

Kirinyaga: A woman has accused her husband of selling their family land without her consent.

The 56-year-old housewife said her husband eloped with a young woman.

Mary Wagatwe from Kiamaina village is now fearing the remaining half an acre where she lives with her four sons might also be sold.

Ms Wagatwe said the land was sold and transferred to the new owner on March 4, this year and a title deed issued the same day. The transactions were kept secret.

“I learned that my husband Stephen Wanjohi had sold half an acre of the family land without involving us as required by the Constitution. He started coercing me to sign the consent form last week yet the land had already changed hands way back in March this year,” she said.

And in an unusual twist, the man admitted selling the land, saying it was his and that he had no regrets for the action.

Denied claims

The estranged housewife said her four sons do not even have basic education after Mr Wanjohi allegedly ignored them while still young.

Wagatwe accused area lands officials of colluding with Wanjohi by asking her to sign the documents or risk losing the remaining portion.

When contacted, Kirinyaga Central Assistant County Commissioner Kimtai Matapei denied the transactions were carried out under his watch.

“Let this woman come right here in my office with all her documents and I will be able to give direction on the matter,,” he said.

He continued: “Land issues in this county are sensitive and must be handled with care.”

Wagatwe said she was surprised that her neighbour, who at one time had been leased the family tea bushes, bought the land and did not even mention it to her.

Wagatwe said having been married through a church wedding in 1991, she was Wanjohi’s legal wife and should have been consulted before any transactions concerning their family land were undertaken.

Contacted, Wanjohi maintained the land was his property and he was at liberty to do as he wished with it.