Court bars media from covering Speaker Lusaka’s child support case

The court has barred the media from publishing information on the proceedings of Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka’s child support case.

Lawyer Danstan Omari has obtained gag orders against all media houses barring them from covering the case.

Resident Magistrate F. Terer gagged all the media houses print and electronic from covering the case.

“That a gag order is hereby issued to any print or electronic mass media in Kenya from accessing, publishing, airing, narrating or commenting the case in any newspaper, journal, weekly magazine and TV or radio show, ” reads the order.

This week on Wednesday, the case was to be mentioned to confirm if negotiations between Lusaka and the woman have been fruitful and further directions.

Earlier this month, Lusaka admitted partenity of the unborn baby who he sired with the woman who sued him for Sh25 million child support case.

Through his lawyer Peter Wanyama, Lusaka told the court that he is not challenging the paternity of the unborn baby and he is willing to settle the matter out of court.

However, he said he will only pay for the child’s maintenance once the baby is born within 7 months but he is going to take care of the pre-natal expenses of the expectant woman.

“It’s not correct that my client can’t make prenatal expenses, that has been sorted. And we are saying let’s wait for the baby to be born,” said Wanyama.

According to Wanyama, both parties have held discussions with a view of entering a final consent.

Appearing on behalf of the complainant, lawyer Omari said it is true that both parties have held discussions but will need seven days to finalize the negotiations in order to file a consent.

However, Wanyama opposed the seven days and instead asked for a month which will be sufficient time for negotiations citing his client is still engaging the petitioner on such as accommodation expenses with respect to prenatal care which are continuous expenses.

The woman also wants the speaker to buy her a house matching the standard of where Lusaka’s other children are staying among other issues.

Wanyama wanted to know why they can’t wait for the baby to born and accommodation will be arranged at a reasonable place and other expenses handled.

“They are putting us under pressure to say that they need a house within seven days. Who can buy a house within seven days?” Wanyama posed.

Omari said 30 days is long in this situation where paternity has been admitted by Lusaka, urging the court to allow seven days because the life of the unborn child is at risk.