Daniel Wambua whose accounts were frozen last month now claims that his two-day dowry ceremony was to cost Sh 29 M.
In a new affidavit, Wambua still maintains that the money frozen by EACC was fundraised by his friends and family for the dowry ceremony.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Wambua says the budget for the two-day event was Sh29 M total, Ntheo Kuatiiya the first ceremony budget was 8.8 M while the second event ‘Ilute’ on the next day was budgeted for Sh 20.2 M.
Some of the listed expenses included return tickets Sh 786,000, Deco and Food Sh 4.6 million, After Party Sh 1.5 million and settling the family Sh 5 million.
Wambua maintains that the money held in the said accounts was acquired through contributions from business, friends, family, and colleagues.
He has also countered the arguments by EACC that the ceremony was held five days before the money was frozen saying there is no requirement that someone has to pay dowry on the same day when the dowry ceremony is held.
He has also claimed that after the dowry ceremony some people were involved in an accident and they had to attend to them on August 7 and 8 2023 thus impossible to pay dowry on that day.
“On the 9th August 2023, my accounts were frozen thus making it impossible for me to pay the dowry,” he says.
Wambua further says that there exists a policy that one can pay the dowry after the ceremony and that is something that you have to discuss with the parents and elders. I gave a commitment to clear the payment in the ensuing week
“I wish to state that I have experienced immense suffering and hardship as the service providers have been making incessant demands for the settlement of outstanding dues. Additionally, my reputation has been tarnished, as I have been unjustly depicted as untrustworthy in the eyes of my in-laws,” he claims.
Wambua says the agreement was that dowry payment would transpire after the ceremony due to security concerns in the locality. It is a well-documented fact that during such events, security issues are prevalent, given the common knowledge that substantial sums of money are disbursed.
He says he is experiencing undue hardships and suffering as the service providers for the event ought to have been paid on or before August 21 but are yet to be paid.
“The contributions made were for purposes of ensuring the dowry ceremony went well in as far as payment of the dowry and services provided on that particular day are paid for,” he says.
On the issue of farming, I wish to state that I have adduced photographic evidence of my farming business. I undertake the farming business in our ancestral home which is located in Yatta, Matuu, Ngengi village.
