Priest Sued over Neglect of ‘13-year-old Son’

By Linah Benyawa
Standard Digital
September 13, 2012

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066080&story_title=Priest-sued-over-neglect-of-%E2%80%9813-year-old-son%E2%80%99

A Catholic priest alleged to have sired a son has been sued in a Mombasa court for neglecting the 13-year-old boy.

Father Josephat Mweu of St. Joseph Allamno Mbiriri social center in Nyeri on Thursday found himself at the Tononoka Children court after one, Cecilia Mbiki instituted a legal suit against him for neglecting the boy who happened to be his biological son.

It is alleged that Fr. Mweu was intimately involved with Mbiki in a village in Kilifi County between 1998 and 1999 where she claims she was staying with her aunt.

In an affidavit of a suit that was filed September 3, Mbiki requested the court to force the priest to recognise and assume fatherhood of the son by paying an upkeep fee of Sh35, 000 per month.

Through her lawyer Oduor Okumu, Mbiki said the Sh35, 000 would be used as follow; Sh5, 000, Food Sh10, 000, Transport Sh5, 000, clothing Sh8, 000, entertainment, Sh2,000 and medical Sh5, 000.

The applicant also asked the court to confiscate Fr. Mweu’s passport claiming that he travels frequently out of the country fearing that he could be not around when the case is scheduled for hearing.

She added that she is overburdened after being the sole provider for her son since 1999 and wants the priest to assume responsibility.

“The priest should be compelled to assume parenthood because my son is currently in class eight and he has some fees arrears which need to be cleared before he sits for his examinations,” said Mbiki.

She claimed that Fr. Mweu had neglected the boy and never cared for his basic needs since his birth something which she alleged has frustrated her as a single mother.

The two parties are expected to appear in court on September 13.