This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
Thomas Anyumba's death notice has brought to the forefront the complex issue of cohabiting couples in Kenya. The notice, placed by those who announced his passing, acknowledged both his wife, Esther Achieng' Owiyo, and his cohabiting partner, Winnie Achieng' Magambo.
According to the notice, Anyumba was the husband of Esther Achieng' Owiyo, who was at Kenyatta National Hospital, and later cohabited with Winnie Achieng' Magambo, who worked at the Kenya Revenue Authority in Kisumu. This unusual acknowledgment has sparked a debate on the rights and responsibilities of cohabiting couples.
However, the appearance of the word 'cohabit' in the notice was just the tip of the iceberg of a protracted battle between Esther and Winnie. The two women had been embroiled in a dispute over the distribution of Anyumba's estate, which included a residential flat at PolyView estate, a maisonette under construction in Mamboleo, and vehicles.
As the battle raged on, clan elders intervened to help resolve the dispute and facilitate Anyumba's burial. Sources revealed that the dispute was centered around the distribution of Anyumba's estate, with both women claiming rights to the property.
A letter dated November 13, 2019, from lawyer PD Onyango, directed Winnie to vacate a house at PolyView Estate, Kisumu. The letter stated that Winnie had up to January 2020 to vacate the premises and pay rent arrears, water, and electricity bills from November 2018.
Despite the drama surrounding the burial, Anyumba was eventually laid to rest on Thursday in Rongo, following an out-of-court settlement of the dispute. An insider revealed that both Esther and Winnie attended the funeral.
