Nominated senator Hezena Lemaletian, has secured a first win in her legal battle against her estranged boyfriend, Musa Hussein Lenyumpa, from harassing or contacting her in any way.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Festus Terer issued an order prohibiting Musa from assaulting, threatening, harassing or endangering the senator in any way.

The order also prohibits Musa from using the senator’s name, image, or likeness for personal or commercial gain; sharing any information about her; or approaching her home or workplace until further notice.

Through her lawyer, Danstan Omari, the nominated senator from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) told the court that she is living in fear due to serious threats and incidents of physical and verbal abuse from the defendant.

In court documents, the youthful legislator also argues that she never married Lenyumpa in accordance with Samburu customary rites.

In her affidavit, she explains that they were introduced through the customary Samburu courtship process, rather than the marriage process, and that Lenyumpa gave her Sh100,000 for the purpose of courtship only.

She emphasises that no dowry was paid and that the Sh100,000 ‘ropiyani e loip’ given by Lenyumpa was merely a token under Samburu tradition, an amount which she has since returned in full.

“The defendant gave the applicant 100,000 Kenyan shillings, which is not considered a dowry under Samburu customs, and which has since been returned in full. No dowry negotiation, payment or marriage ceremony was conducted under any recognised system of law in Kenya,” read part of the court documents.

The senator claims that the harassment has seriously impacted her safety, privacy and professional reputation.

She accuses Musa of issuing death threats, committing acts of physical violence, and spreading false claims that they are married.

She further alleges that he once assaulted her, causing a nosebleed, and that he has used social media platforms and bloggers to damage her reputation, thereby threatening her safety and political career.

The matter will be heard on September 22, 2025, when both parties will present their arguments on whether the orders should be extended or modified.