Wetang'ula's court battle over pricey dogs slated for next week

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula. [File, Standard]

The small claims court will on September 11, 2024 mention a case between National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and a dog handler.

In his case filed before in Nairobi, Isokat Bethwel claims Mr Wetang’ula had, in June 2021, contracted him to supply him with two male German Shepherd dogs. However, the man alleged that Wetang'ula had declined to pay Sh348,100.

On Wednesday, Wetang'ula asked the court for time to respond. He said some  documents, including invoices were not legible and therefore could not respond to the claims.

Isokat said the contract also entailed supplying dog food, training sleeves, dog leash and choke chains, grooming brushes, nail cutters, shampoo, kennel disinfectants, and dog harnesses.

In his case filed before adjudicator VK Momanyi, he stated the deal would have seen the speaker pay Sh348,100. He also claimed the speaker requested that he trains his staff for a month for Sh50,000. “It is regrettable that the Respondent failed to honour the agreement with the Claimant, by refusing to pay for the dogs supplied and for the training offered,” claimed Isokat.

He said after following up on the payment several times, Wetang’ula paid him Sh100,000, leaving a balance of Sh298,100.

Isokat further alleged that he tried to get the speaker to pay the remainder but his bid fell on deaf ears. “The claimant further reached out to the respondent through various means to recover the balance, but he responded rudely and adamantly informed the claimant he would not pay,” he stated.

The man said he sent Wetang’ula a demand letter on July 11, 2024. Isokat said he has suffered for the speaker’s failure to pay what he owes him.

“The claimant has been psychologically tortured and again he stands to lose all the remaining balance if the court does not come in for his legal redress,” his court papers reads in part. The case will be mentioned on September 11, 2024.