Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has been thrust into a sensational legal storm over parental responsibility, child support, and claims of extortion, all tied to a brief affair with a Dubai-based Kenyan woman that now threatens to spill into the public arena.
In court documents filed at the Milimani Children’s Court, Mutua opened up about a short-lived relationship with the woman, identified only as FMM, which he says quickly spiralled into emotional chaos and legal threats following the birth of their daughter in August 2023.
According to the CS, FMM has been harassing him via phone, bombarding him with outrageous demands, and threatening to expose him on social media if he fails to meet them.
Among the items on her wish list: foreign residency, a diplomatic posting, government tenders, and a blank cheque.
“These demands are outrageous and appalling, especially considering my role as a government employee, and some of her demands violate Chapter Six of the Constitution, which governs the integrity of public servants,” Dr Mutua stated.
The CS is now pushing for a 50:50 parenting arrangement and says he’s ready to pay for the child’s medical and upkeep needs within the law.
“I am willing and able to care for the minor and assume 50 percent of parental responsibility within the confines of the law,” he affirms in the affidavit.
Their fling, which began in 2022 after meeting at the Dubai Mall, was, according to him, “brief and inconsistent.” He maintains that they never cohabited or formalised their relationship in any way. But in 2023, she fell pregnant and informed him he was the father.
FMM, in her counterclaim, admits the relationship and confirms the birth of their daughter on August 28, 2023. But she paints a completely different picture, one of emotional abandonment, financial neglect, and a partner unwilling to support his child.
She is now demanding Sh6,066,680 in backdated support and full custody.
“The parties had a brief romantic relationship that resulted in the birth of the minor, a girl named RAA, born on August 28, 2023, in Dubai,” her affidavit states.
“The law requires the plaintiff to assume parental responsibility of the child; and this court should order him to shoulder 100 percent parental responsibility.”
She insists Mutua has failed to meet any obligation, despite DNA results confirming he is the child’s biological father.
“The Plaintiff (Mutua) indicated that he would only assume parental responsibility over the minor subject to a positive DNA test,” she adds in her filing.
The test was conducted on December 11, 2023, and confirmed on December 26, 2024. But even after that, she alleges, the CS refused to support the child and has continued to dodge responsibility.
The court documents detail her demands, including, “I want either US residency, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, even Europe for me and my daughter (put we are government workers being sent on a mission). I want government tenders… I want a blank cheque (I won’t put an insane number)… Can’t wait any longer. Have no job, no income. Fulus Khalas!”
She also wants a new birth certificate bearing Dr. Mutua’s name, school fees covered, medical support, housing, and more. Her detailed expense sheet, covering the 564 days since the child’s birth, adds up to over Sh6 million, including:
Sh3.6 million for rent, Sh564,000 for food and toiletries, Sh69,800 for a three-night birthday party at Dubai’s Grand Hyatt
Additional costs for utilities, domestic help, clothing, travel, and even car insurance
Mutua insists her demands go beyond parental support and are being used as weapons.
“The Defendant has continuously tried to abuse my position as Cabinet Secretary to make the following demands,” Mutua says.
His legal team has submitted WhatsApp messages allegedly showing her pushing for foreign travel documents and tenders. He further alleges she breached their daughter’s right to privacy by outing him publicly on Instagram as the father — an act he says puts the child at risk.
“She has breached the minor’s right to privacy, knowing very well that I am a high-profile member of society. This reckless action places the child in unnecessary danger,” Mutua stated.
“I have approached this court seeking to protect the minor’s right to privacy as his father from unnecessary exposure, which is geared towards embarrassing and extorting me. I only seek to protect my child from undue exposure and uphold my responsibilities.”
In a fiery rebuttal, FMM denies any extortion and says her messages were in response to his request for suggestions on resolving maintenance matters.
“Hi Alfred… I wanted to refresh your memory that you didn’t use a condom on me. You’ve stated multiple times that I impregnated myself. At first, I thought it laughable, but I will request a lie detector test if you continue with the lie.”
“I am left with zero options… No job. I’m in Kenya with my child. You have refused any obligations,” she wrote in another.
She is now asking the court to grant her full custody, a name change for the child, and an official recognition of Dr Mutua as the biological father.
FMM maintains that she has shouldered all responsibilities alone — food, rent, healthcare, and education — and is simply asking for fairness.