Claims of Fake DNA and Birth Certificate Fuel Nairobi Custody Fight

A custody and financial dispute involving a four-year-old girl is currently before the Milimani Children’s Court in Nairobi, with contested claims over paternity, child support, and alleged document forgery.

The case centres on a businessman and former parliamentary aspirant, identified in court records as GBI, and a woman, PPJ, who alleges he is the child’s biological father and owes her significant financial support. PPJ is seeking a monthly child maintenance payment of Sh280,500, claiming GBI abandoned her and their daughter shortly after the child’s birth. 

She also asserts that during their relationship between 2020 and 2021, she lent him Sh10 million, which remains unpaid. In her filings, she states GBI only contributed towards delivery expenses and initial vaccinations, after which it withdrew all contact and support.

GBI denies both the paternity claim and the nature of their relationship. He describes their connection as brief and informal, alleging that PPJ was living with another man at the time. He disputes the authenticity of the birth certificate presented in court, claiming it is forged, and denies that his medical insurance was ever used for the child, saying PPJ was never listed as a dependent.

The dispute escalated when Cerba Lancet Kenya, a medical testing firm, disowned a DNA report submitted by GBI. In a letter dated 6 October and filed in court, the company stated no such test had been conducted at its facility and the document was not recorded in its systems. 

Dr Charles Wahome, the firm’s chief consultant pathologist, confirmed the report was falsified and said the company intends to file a complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, citing reputational harm. Following the controversy over the disputed DNA evidence, the court has ordered a new paternity test. 

GBI has said he is willing to contribute half of the child’s reasonable expenses if he is confirmed to be the biological father. He does not oppose PPJ’s request for full custody, indicating his concerns lie mainly with legal and financial obligations.

The case is scheduled to continue on 13 November.