Saturday, May 9, 2009

Conjugal Rights Deprived Kenyan Man Seeks Damages In Court

A Kenyan man Mr. James Kimondo has sued activists who called on women to stage a one week sex boycott to protest the growing divide in Kenya’s coalition government. Mr. James Kimondo has filed the suit at the High Court for compensation, claiming that prior to the calls for the sex boycott on the 29 th of April, he was a happily married man enjoying all the benefits of marriage, including conjugal rights. He complains that the one week sex boycott has caused him stress, mental anguish, backaches and lack of sleep, as stated by his lawyer. The boycott ended on Wednesday 6th.

The lawsuit filed on Friday claims lack of conjugal rights affected Mr. Kimondo's marriage to his wife Teresia Wanjiku. Mr. Kimondo is now seeking an undisclosed amount in damages from the G-10, an umbrella group for women's activists.

The sex-ban protest by the women groups was prompted by the strained relationship between the two signatories to the power sharing agreement that resulted in Kenya’s Coalition government and calm after the December 2007/January 2008 post-election violence, where more than 1000 persons were killed. The relationship between the two principals President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been deteriorating prompting resignations of key public officers notably Martha Karua Minister for Justice & Constitution Affairs. The wrangling between Kibaki and Odinga has sparked fears of fresh violence.

A leading women activist Ann Njogu, executive, director of Centers for Rights Education and Awareness said that though they have not been legally served, "It will be interesting to see the face of a man who is not willing to abstain for the sake of his country."

According to Ann Njogu, plans are under way for women activists to meet with the two key principals.

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