Former Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Aisha Jumwa, is currently facing a legal battle over a Sh250 million house she purchased last year. The dispute involves Bejav Furniture Limited, which has taken the matter to court, seeking to compel Jumwa to pay an outstanding Sh60 million, part of the agreed purchase price.
Bejav Furniture initially pursued a bankruptcy declaration against Jumwa but the case was referred to mediation. The saga began when Jumwa, who was sworn in as Cabinet Secretary on October 27, 2022, approached Roselyn Wambui in February 2023 to buy her property, initially valued at Sh250 million. After negotiations, the price was reduced to Sh215 million.
Wambui claims she instructed her lawyer, Kinyanjui Kirimi & Company Advocates, to prepare the sale agreement, which was sent to Jumwa’s legal representatives at Mohamoud, Gitau & Jillo LLP Advocates on February 25, 2023. Jumwa’s legal team acknowledged the agreement but informed Wambui that the purchase would be financed through a loan.
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It later emerged that Jumwa could only secure Sh145 million in financing from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). Consequently, Jumwa’s lawyer suggested an addendum to the agreement to account for the Sh70 million balance, which was not covered by the loan.
According to Wambui, there were specific decorations and furnishings in the house that she was supposed to remove, as stated in the addendum. Jumwa agreed to pay the remaining Sh60 million over 12 months, a term that was included in the initial draft agreement.
Wambui claims she transferred ownership of the house to Jumwa, who then used it as collateral for the KCB loan. However, after receiving the Sh10 million down payment, Wambui says she received no further payments from Jumwa. Despite repeated demands for the outstanding balance, Wambui alleges that Jumwa has ignored her requests, leading to a breach of contract.
Wambui’s lawyers initiated a debt recovery case, which included an attempt to have Jumwa declared bankrupt. However, this case is currently pending mediation or settlement, with Wambui expressing frustration at the lack of progress.
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Wambui is now seeking a court order compelling Jumwa to pay the outstanding amount plus 18.5 percent interest until it is fully settled. In response, Jumwa has filed an objection, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction over the case. Her lawyers, led by Prof. Tom Ojienda, assert that the original agreement between the parties stipulated that any disputes would be resolved through arbitration, not litigation.
Jumwa is also requesting that the court dismiss the case and order Wambui to cover the legal costs.
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