The role of Jeremiah Maina Wamungu, the ex-husband of celebrated Kenyan marathoner Lucy Wambui Kabuu, in the acquisition of contested multi-million-shilling property is under scrutiny in an ongoing hearing at the Nakuru High Court.
Kabuu, the 2006 Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medalist, has dismissed Maina’s claims of contributing to the properties, which he is seeking to classify as matrimonial assets with a 50% share.
Kabuu told the court that the properties in question were acquired using her prize money from athletic events.
Jeremia Maina. the ex-husband to Marathon star Lucy Kabuu. Photo: Nation Africa Source: Facebook
The couple’s marriage, which began in 2009, ended in separation in 2014, producing one child.
However, their contentious divorce and the property dispute continued for years, with formal divorce proceedings only concluding in 2020.
The unresolved matrimonial suit involves properties valued at approximately KSh 100 million.
Maina insists that he financially supported the acquisition and development of properties in Nakuru, Nairobi, Nyandarua, and Laikipia counties.
Kabuu countered that she only assigned him oversight roles while the funding came entirely from her winnings.
Testifying in court, Kabuu acknowledged that Maina had acted as her assistant coach between 2009 and 2014 but confirmed she never compensated him for his services.
Marathon Star Lucy Kabuu. Photo: Getty Images
She further revealed that Maina often accompanied her to international competitions, including marathons in Dubai, London, and Berlin, and cared for their child in her absence.
The court also heard allegations that Maina misused Kabuu’s trust by opening a dollar account in her name and misappropriating funds.
Kabuu testified that she had given Maina access to her ATM cards to manage family expenses, which he allegedly exploited.
Bank statements presented in court indicated that some funds used to purchase the properties might have originated from the sale of a pre-marital property owned by Maina.
The hearing is set to resume on December 3 as the court seeks to determine the rightful ownership of the contested properties.
