By Baraka Karama and Evelyn Makena
The family of Quincy Timberlake, the husband of former TV anchor Esther Arunga, yesterday said they are not ready to forgive her even as she was sentenced to 10 months in prison and immediately released on parole.
Quincy’s mother Rosemeg Wambita said Arunga is not welcome to her family despite the court’s decision.
“I have heard the news but I cannot comment further. The only thing I would say is that I haven’t and will not recognise her as my son’s wife because of what she has put him through,” she said.
Arunga on Monday admitted to charges of being an accessory to murder. She had initially told investigating authorities that her three-year-old son Sinclair Timberlake died after falling down a flight of stairs in their home in 2014.
Tougher sentence
But investigations later revealed that Sinclair died as a result of blunt object trauma to his abdomen. His father, Quincy, was charged with his murder.
Arunga told the police that on the night of June 17, 2014, she walked in on Quincy in the bathroom hitting their son in the stomach and he then hit him against the wall.
On Monday, she admitted to misleading the police to protect Quincy and help him escape punishment.
Crown Prosecutor Danny Boyle on the same day told the court that by lying Arunga had shifted the spotlight from her husband, delayed the investigation and his arrest.
Speaking from her Kisumu Mbeme home on phone, Wambita said she expected a tougher sentence imposed on Arunga.
“I did not expect that going by what she said but I know the good Lord is watching over my son,” she said.
She exonerated her son from devil worshipping allegations, saying he was brought up in a Christian family. “Allegations that he is involved in a cult are false. Those saying that are ruining his reputation,” she said.
Wambita said Arunga’s confession had vindicated her son over the crime.
“The fact that she confessed was a clear testimony that my son has been and will still be innocent,” she said.
Redeem self
Yesterday, the Brisbane Supreme Court sentenced Arunga to 10 months and released her immediately on parole.
Judith Njuguna, Arunga’s friend, termed the turn of events unfortunate, saying that there was a chance for her to redeem herself.
“Good people lie because they are afraid, and that may have been the situation in her case. I hope to somehow find a way to let Esther know that she is loved and that she has people back home who care very deeply for her,” she said.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Quincy Timberlake’s mother Rosemeg Wambita says her daughter-in-law Esther Arunga is not welcome to her family despite her sentencing, and release on parole.
She exonerates her son from devil worshipping allegations, says he was brought up in a Christian family.
‘I did not expect that going by what she said but I know the good lord is watching over my son -Wambita
