A family’s sacrifice to educate their son has become the subject of a legal dispute after his parents accused a senior Nairobi County Assembly official of allegedly drawing the 19-year-old university student away from his studies and into a romantic relationship.
The parents of Ian Mutinda Mumo have instructed lawyers to demand answers from Monicah M. Muthami, 57, identified in the demand letter as a Deputy Clerk at the Nairobi City County Assembly, over allegations that she took their son from university and brought him to live with her in Nairobi.
In a demand letter dated October 2, 2026, Mwenda Mwinzi Associates Advocates, acting for Ian’s father, Harrison Mumo Simon, accuse Muthami of engaging in what they describe as an inappropriate romantic relationship with their client’s son and interfering with his education, welfare and future.
The family’s grievance is compounded by the financial sacrifices they say they made to secure Ian’s university education.
According to the letter, Ian was admitted to Kabarak University in September 2025 to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with university fees paid to facilitate his studies.
His parents claim they sold their only piece of land to raise approximately KSh300,000 for his education, hoping to secure a better future for their son.
However, the lawyers allege that shortly after his admission, Ian was taken to Muthami’s residence in Donholm Estate, Nairobi, where he has allegedly been living while involved in the relationship.
The letter further claims that Ian has abandoned his university education despite the fees having been paid, raising concerns within the family about his academic progress and future prospects.
Court Action Threatened
In the demand letter, the advocates cite Article 43(1)(f) of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to education. They argue that Ian should be able to pursue his studies without improper interference or influence that could lead him to abandon university.
They also invoke Article 53 of the Constitution, which provides for the protection of children and establishes the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in matters concerning children.
The lawyers further cite Section 35 of the Children Act, 2022, arguing that the court may be asked to consider extending parental responsibility beyond the age of 18 if the applicable statutory requirements are met.
According to the letter, Harrison Mumo Simon is considering moving to court to present the circumstances surrounding his son’s alleged abandonment of university studies, including the role the lawyers claim Muthami played.
The advocates also warn that their client reserves the right to report the matter formally to the Nairobi City County Assembly, Muthami’s employer, over what the letter characterises as conduct inconsistent with the standards and principles governing public service.
The lawyers demand that Muthami immediately cease the alleged romantic relationship with Ian, stop any conduct they contend interferes with his education or encourages the continued abandonment of his studies, and discontinue hosting him at her residence.
The letter gives her seven days from October 2, 2026, to provide a written undertaking that she will desist from the conduct complained of.
Failure to comply, the advocates warn, will prompt legal proceedings and a formal complaint to the Nairobi City County Assembly without further reference to her.
The letter is signed on behalf of Mwenda Mwinzi Associates Advocates by an advocate identified as Mitchelle T. M. Nguma.
The Questions At The Centre of The Dispute
The dispute raises questions about educational welfare, parental responsibility and the autonomy of young adults in making decisions about their relationships and living arrangements.
At 19, Ian is an adult under Kenyan law. The allegations in the demand letter do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by Muthami or automatically entitle his parents to determine his personal relationships or living arrangements.
The key issues include the circumstances surrounding Ian’s departure from university, whether he has indeed abandoned his studies, and his own account of the relationship and his current living arrangements.
The allegations have not been established by a court, and the demand letter is not a judicial finding of liability.
Channel 15 News sought comments from Monicah M. Muthami and Ian Mutinda Mumo regarding the allegations but had not received a response by the time of going to press.
For Harrison Mumo Simon and his family, the dispute represents a painful turn in what they describe as a costly investment in their son’s future. Whether the threatened legal proceedings will be filed, and what emerges from the parties’ responses, remains to be established.
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