In a jaw-dropping revelation that has shocked Kenyans, nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian has officially broken off her engagement and returned the dowry—citing a damning background check conducted by her Samburu family elders.

The senator, who had joyfully announced her engagement in October 2024, had described her then-fiancé as “a brilliant individual,” even flaunting the relationship online. But the fairy tale has come to a crashing end.

Speaking on Friday, May 16, Lemaletian stunned the public with a candid statement: her family elders conducted a thorough investigation—rooted in strict Samburu customs—which unearthed undisclosed details that forced them to immediately halt the union.

“I am not married. I will not marry that individual. Period,” Lemaletian declared. “Those rumors are completely false and misleading. I’m deeply grateful to our elders.”

She emphasized that the dowry—initially pegged at Ksh 100,000—was returned, and the engagement nullified as early as January 2025. “Our traditions demand a rigorous background check before any marriage. It was done—and the results spoke volumes,” she added.

The senator credited her elders with stepping in like a protective father figure, noting that her late father would have been proud of how the matter was handled. “Their wisdom saved me,” she said emotionally.

As media speculation continues to swirl, Lemaletian is demanding privacy for her family and warning that any future attempts to smear her name will face legal consequences.

This dramatic turn of events has set social media ablaze, with Kenyans weighing in on tradition, trust, and the cost of love gone wrong.