Kericho Governor Eric Mutai is embroiled in a court battle after a fourth-year University of Kabianga student sued him for Sh200,000 in monthly child upkeep.

The petitioner, Maureen Chepkirui, accuses the governor of abandoning his parental duties by withholding financial support, protection, and basic care for their one-year-old child.

According to court filings, Ms Chepkirui further claims Dr Mutai has systematically blocked efforts to process the child’s birth certificate by refusing to surrender his national identity card details.

She also alleged that when she visited the governor’s official Kericho residence with the minor to seek help, security guards turned her away under his explicit instructions.

Beyond the monthly upkeep, Ms Chepkirui is petitioning the court to compel Dr Mutai to provide a full medical cover for the child, along with Sh200,000 in exemplary damages for alleged constitutional violations.

The Children’s Court declined to issue emergency interim maintenance orders, directing the case to proceed to full hearing while granting Governor Mutai parental access to the child in the interim.