Grandson does not lack fees, says Ojode mother

By LUCIANNE LIMO

The mother of the late Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode has refuted claims that her grandson is stranded in the country due to lack of school fees.

Mrs Ulda Aloo Ojode yesterday told the court that claims made by Ojode’s widow Mary that her son was unable to attend school in the UK for his Master’s programme due to a court order stopping the Sh10 million compensation from Parliament were not true.

“The boy is not stranded as is being portrayed,” Ulda’s lawyer Charles Kanyangi told Justice David Onyancha.

“My grandson Andy is not stranded for fees as depicted by the mother because she is employed and earns a huge salary at National Social Security Fund (NSSF),” she said.

In her affidavit filed in court, Ulda claims that Mary is also in charge of managing other properties left by Ojode and she collects a lot of cash as rental income that is sufficient to pay college fees in the meantime.

Ojode’s mother said Mary collects a lot of money from proceeds from a hotel in Ndhiwa, several rental houses and shares from several companies.

Filed succession case

She is also aggrieved that the widow has filed a succession case on September 4 naming herself and her son as dependants, excluding her.

Justice Onyancha said the case should not be heard in a civil court but in the family division, saying that court was more suitable in dealing with family disputes.

He forwarded the file to family division presiding judge for hearing, saying the court is also capable of ordering the release of advanced payment for Andy’s fees.

Last week, Mary said she wanted to know how much her mother-in-law was demanding from her husband’s estate.

The widow on Wednesday told the court that her mother-in-law had not indicated in her affidavit how much she is seeking from court.

Ojode’s mother and his widow are engaged in a legal battle over the late minister’s estate.