W***n under pressure to refund harambee money after groom disappears with the funds 3 weeks to their wedding

In August 2018, Irene Auma, a resident of Likoni, Mombasa, was to exchange wedding vows with the love of her life, whom she identified as John Nelson Juma.

The wedding plans were on course until three weeks to the ceremony, when Auma, 24, learnt that Juma, a man in his youthful years, had allegedly rescinded his decision to marry her.

As is characteristic of many weddings in Kenya, the former couple had contributed their own funds and borrowed supplementary money from friends, relatives and the church. The total contribution by well-wishers was Ksh30, 000, which had been given to the treasurer of the wedding committee -- and Juma, the groom-to-be, was the custodian of the raised money.

Three weeks to her wedding, Auma claimed Juma approached and informed her that he was rescinding his decision to marry her because his friends “had received a vision from God that the marriage between him (Juma) and Auma won’t work out”.

After the wedding plan was cancelled, Auma claims she has been looking for Juma to refund the contributions made by the church, her relatives and their mutual friends without any success.

“I am under a lot of pressure to refund the monies,” she said, adding: “every other time I meet the people who contributed to our aborted wedding, they usually remind me to give them back their money”.

Auma claims her ex-fiancé tied the knot with another woman two weeks ago, and, according to her, “it is only right for Juma to refund monies raised for our wedding, which did not take place”.

When reached for comment, Juma accused Auma of ruining his reputation.

He, however, did not deny having received contributions for their failed wedding attempt.

“I will call to ask her (Auma) how much I owe her so that I can refund,” he said before hanging up.

Auma says she could be forced to seek legal redress against Juma to recover monies owed to her.