In the year 2018, one 96-year-old Grace Wanjiru Guitati, is facing discrimination based on her sex and her choice to be married.
According to blogger, Nyakundi, Mrs. Guitati is being evicted from a piece of land she has occupied for the last 50 years on grounds that the constitution that was in effect at the time she inherited the land does not allow her ownership of the land.
Grace was born in 1922, was the daughter and only child to Kamukii’s 3rd wife, Nyaguthii Kamukie. Her father, the late Kamukie Mwethi transferred the ownership of some of his estate to the first and second wives before he died in 1968, by the time of his death the land which Mrs. Guitati occupies was the only one not yet distributed.
In July 2006 Mrs. Guitati filed an objection on the ruling and a male judge directed the petitioners to indulge her in their decisions as she is a beneficiary too but step siblings appealed to the Courts to have her objection dismissed on grounds that a ruling had already been made.
In 2016 a review of the ruling was made and the Judge concluded that there was no dispute; that she is their step sister but she cannot inherit. Being her only source of livelihood, the now 96-year old did not give up the fight for her piece of land. Last year in June, the court dismissed her application for review claiming that 14 years is a long time for someone not to have filed an appeal.
According to the blogger, Kiambu County Women Rep, Gathoni wa Muchomba was approached to help this elderly lady get justice but said that she cannot interfere with the case.
Upon reading her story, Netizens became livid and took the Twitter streets campaigning for justice for the old.
https://twitter.com/shemkip/status/1056053831535071232
96 years old Grace wanjiru Guitati has fallen this unfortunate fate. In an age where the law and general logic recognizes us all as equals. Mrs Guitati is facing a predicament of discrimination based on her sex#JusticeForTheOld
— Yvonne (@EvyonK) October 27, 2018
In Kenya, a woman’s right to own property, inherit and manage or dispose of her property has long been under attack from customary practices that grant women only secondary rights to land and property through male relatives. #JusticeForTheOld
— Khaligraph Jones 🇸🇴 (@lagaless) October 27, 2018
#JusticeForTheOld
Its very obvious that, specific politicians in KIAMBU county, only respond to our Granny's plea, when campaigning. After succeeding their seats, their pay less/no attention to their plea. Shame on you— Samuel Kunta ™ (@Kenyan_Jui) October 27, 2018
It’s unfortunate that in the year 2018, we’re still discussing women’s rights, and that some women like Mrs. Guitati are facing discrimination based on their gender and marital status.
What do you think is the role of women representatives in Kenya?