Senator Hezena Lemaletian Sues Ex-Boyfriend after Returning 'Dowry,' Insists They Are Not Married
- Nominated senator Hezena Lemaletian has filed a case against her estranged boyfriend, Musa Hussein Lenyumpa
- In court documents seen by TUKO.co.ke, Lemaletian claims she has been living in fear for her life over her ex-boyfriend's threats
- The court issued temporary orders in favour of the nominated senator from Samburu pending the hearing and determination of her case
- Lemaletian had in May 2025 called off engagement to Lenyumpa and refunded KSh 100,000 he had paid
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Nairobi: Nominated senator Hezena Lemaletian has secured a first win in a legal battle against her estranged boyfriend, Musa Hussein Lenyumpa.
Source: Facebook
Lemaletian from Samburu county has filed a case at a Nairobi court seeking protection as she accuses her ex-boyfriend of harassment and defamation.
The court on Tuesday, August 12, issued temporary orders in favour of the legislator, stopping her ex-boyfriend from contacting her and using her image, or publishing information about her on social media.
Why has Hezena Lemaletian sued her ex-boyfriend?
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominated senator told the court that she is living in fear following serious threats from the defendant, with incidents of physical and verbal abuse.
In court documents seen by TUKO.co.ke, the youthful legislator also argues that she never married Lenyumpa under the Samburu customary rites.
In her affidavit, she explains that they were introduced through the Samburu customary process for courtship and not marriage, where Lenyumpa only gave her a KSh 100,000 for purposes of courtship.
The senator insists that the token by Lenyumpa was not a dowry and that she returned the amount in full.
"The defendant gave the applicant KSh 100,000, which is not dowry under Samburu customs, and which has since been returned in full. No dowry negotiation, payment, or marriage ceremony was conducted under any recognised system of law in Kenya,” read part of the court documents.
Did Samburu elders approve Lemelatian's marriage proposal?
She further revealed that her ex-boyfriend had asked Samburu elders to help him look for a wife, but at the time, she was not in the country.
Lemelatian said he (Lenyumpa) was given consent to pursue her, but she turned the offer down.
“He was given consent to pursue the plaintiff while she was absent, but in due course, the plaintiff has declined to be his wife. The applicant at courtship sought to have the consent revoked by the elders as she was hesitant and subsequently requested the return of the offering of KSh 100,000,” court documents read.
According to the nominated senator, since then, there have been no dowry negotiations, payment of the traditional eight cows, or a marriage ceremony that took place.
Source: Facebook
She further said that after she revoked the elders’ consent to proceed with the marriage, Lenyumpa allegedly became violent.
Lemaletian further accuses Lenyumpa of falsely claiming they are married, using bloggers and social media influencers to spread the misinformation, and tarnishing her name.
She argues that the falsehoods have caused emotional distress and reputational harm, jeopardising her political career.
What orders did Hezena Lemaletian secure against her ex?
Following the application, magistrate Festus Terer has barred Lenyumpa from assaulting, harassing, threatening, or interfering with Lemaletian’s well-being until the case she has filed is heard and determined.
The senator’s ex-boyfriend has also been prohibited from using her name, likeness, or image for personal or commercial gain or publishing any information relating to her.
He was also barred from accessing her home or place of work.
Why did Hezena Lemaletian call off her engagement?
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that Lemaletian had called off her engagement and refunded KSh 100,000, which her suitor had paid.
According to the legislator, the decision was made following a background check done on the man who had proposed to her.
She revealed that the elders were not satisfied with the results from the vetting process.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Zipporah Weru (Freelance editor) Zipporah Weru is a professional journalist with a bias towards human interest, human rights, crimes and court reporting with over 14 years’ experience in journalism. She is currently covering civil, criminal and constitutional cases across Nairobi courts. She holds a Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations from the Technical University of Kenya. You can reach her at zweru34@gmail.com.
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
