The woman, identified as Joyce, says she met the man a few months before the incident and was impressed by his promises of marriage and commitment to becoming a father figure to her three children.
According to her account, the relationship appeared promising, with the man expressing his willingness to settle down and build a family with her. However, things reportedly changed when he introduced a business opportunity that required substantial financial investment.
Joyce explained that the man wanted to venture into the public transport industry but did not have enough money to purchase a vehicle. He therefore approached her with a proposal to secure a loan of KSh 2 million, promising that he would personally handle all the monthly repayments.
Trusting his intentions and believing they were building a future together, she agreed to the arrangement and obtained the financing.
The man reportedly contributed additional money and purchased a matatu using the funds. However, Joyce later discovered that the vehicle had been registered in his name, despite the loan being taken out under her own name.
She said the situation took an unexpected turn shortly after the purchase when the man became increasingly unavailable before eventually disappearing.
His sudden disappearance left Joyce with the responsibility of repaying the entire loan, while she had no ownership rights over the vehicle purchased using the borrowed money.
The woman, who works in the civil service, reportedly earns approximately KSh 60,000 monthly. Before the incident, she was able to support her three children with her salary, although household expenses consumed a significant portion of her income.
Her financial difficulties have since intensified, with monthly loan repayments estimated at KSh 35,363 over a period of five years.
She also revealed that her savings had declined from KSh 400,000 to approximately KSh 330,000 as she struggled to balance household expenses and her growing financial obligations.
The situation has become even more challenging as she prepares for the educational needs of her children, including her firstborn, who is expected to join senior secondary school.
Seeking guidance through Daily Nation's personal finance advice column, Joyce was advised to explore legal options that could potentially help her recover the money or establish whether she has a claim involving the vehicle.
Investment consultant Alex Kibebe also suggested that she consider negotiating with her lender to extend the repayment period, which could reduce the amount she pays monthly, although it might increase the total interest charged.
Other recommendations included reducing household expenses, exploring additional sources of income and protecting the savings she has managed to retain.
The case highlights the financial dangers that can arise when romantic relationships become intertwined with major financial decisions. It also demonstrates why individuals should exercise caution before borrowing substantial amounts of money to finance assets registered in another person's name.
For Joyce, what began as a relationship with a man who promised marriage and family stability has reportedly turned into a financial struggle that could take years to overcome.
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