A children’s court in Bungoma has issued a landmark ruling ordering divorced parents to equally share the costs of maintaining their children, including school fees, medical care, and other basic needs.
The ruling came after the mother petitioned the court seeking to have the father bear all the expenses.
However, the court directed both parents to make equal contributions towards the children’s upkeep and general maintenance pending the hearing and determination of the main case.
The court also ordered that school fees and related expenses at the children’s current schools be shared equally until the end of the academic year.
After the academic year concludes, the parents have been directed to sit down and agree on schools for the children based on their educational needs and what the father can afford.
If they fail to reach an agreement, the father will be allowed to pay an amount equivalent to what he previously spent on the children’s education in public schools, with the mother covering any additional costs arising from the new schools.
The court also addressed custody arrangements, ruling that the existing physical custody arrangement be maintained until the main case is determined.
However, both parents were granted equal legal custody, meaning they will both have the right to participate in major decisions concerning the children, including matters relating to education, religion, and medical care.
