World 3,000M steeplechase recorder holder Shaheen Saif Saaeed is battling in court against his former wife Monica Kangogo over children’s up-keep.
Saaeed, formerly Stephen Cherono has been sued to an Eldoret Court for failing to provide for his three children who lives with their mother Kangogo.
The former IAAF world 3,000m steeplechase champion changed his citizenship from Kenya to Qatar has denied being an athlete and maintaining his name as Stephen Cherono not Saaeed as claimed in court.
Kangogo sued the retired runner in a children’s court before Senior Resident Magistarte Emily Kigen in Eldoret after separating with his wife Kangogo two years ago.
She claimed that apart from failing to maintain, educate and upkeep and medication costs of their children, Shaheen had earlier claimed that the children are not his but Kangogo underwent a DNA test to prove that he was their father with results turning out positive and running away from parental responsibility since parting ways.
She also claimed that he went ahead to evicted them their palatial home in Elgon View estate house subjecting them to suffering and children no longer enjoy the standards of life they were used before they were kicked out.
“I have now rented a two bed roomed house where I share a room
with my children and the house help,” she told the court.
on his defence Saaeed shocking a packed court claiming being ever an athlete making
millions but a hustler in Eldoret, making Sh 5,000 per month.
“Your honor, I am not a person of means and I have never been an international runner in my life. That person you are referring to as a runner is not me,” fired back.
He also denied being Saif Shaheen Saeed who made local and
international headline over his successful career in athletics, and instead
clarified that his name was Stephen Cheruiyot Cherono.
He told the court that he can only manage to meet the cost of his children and
that since his estranged wife was working, she should shoulder the cost of
food, rent and clothing.
“I am just a hustler in this town. I don’t have any job. The current woman
whom I am staying with is the one who is meeting the cost of our upkeep
including food and rent.”
Though he admitted to own a 200 acre piece of land in
Sergoit, in Moiben Uasin Gishu County.
Shaheen accused his wife of denying him access to the children despite the fact
that he was contributing to their costs of primary education the claim that Kangogo
denied saying that Shaheen can only see the children in school on condition
that he informs her about the visit for the safety of the kids.
“I have not refused him access to the children as he claims but what am opposed
to him visiting them in school without my prior knowledge,” she said.
The magistrate directed the two parties to come back in court on 24th
of this month when she will make a ruling regarding sharing of parental
responsibilities of the children.