Outspoken former CS for Trade Moses Kuria is now relying on his wife, Joyce Njambi in a bid to evade the auction of assets valued at KES 100 million.
Kuria faces legal action on several charges including a KES 6.5 million defamation judgment awarded to Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua and KES 7.25 million in unpaid rent arrears for his property in the leafy Nairobi suburb of Westlands.
Moses Kuria is now said to have transferred ownership of several assets to his wife, in an effort to shield them from creditors.
Normally this tactic would thwart the auction process given that under Kenyans law assets registered under a spouse’s name may not be directly targeted for debt recovery.
Legal experts have noted, nonetheless, that while transferring assets to a spouse can offer temporary protection, courts may scrutinize such moves to determine whether they are attempts to defraud creditors. If proven so, the courts, in their jurisdiction can reverse such transfers.
Kuria’s financial woes have been compounded by his loose tongue when he was a Cabinet Secretary and would utter reckless statements at every turn and twist. It’s also alleged that he misused his office to enter into costly deals with shady characters in the international money market.
A defamation case initiated by NARC-Kenya’s Martha Wangari Karua in 2020 culminated in the award of a hefty sum leading to the attempt to auction Kuria’s personal belongings, including vehicles and household items .
As the situation unfolds, Kuria’s reliance on his wife’s legal standing highlights the complexities of asset protection in the face of debt recovery efforts.
The outcome of this case may set a precedent for how courts handle similar strategies employed by individuals facing financial liabilities.
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