Grace Wanjiku Kariuki, Jospeh Kori's first wife has come out to reveal that the two parted ways in 2010 after he refused to stop his affair with the murdered Mary Wambui Kamangara.
Grace says that she and Kori had a humble start to life in Nairobi's Kayole Estate but he walked out on her and their daughter in 2010 to live with Mary in Nakuru.
"We met through a mutual friend and immediately fell in love, and after some time we decided to move in together.
"Later, an uncle who lives in Nakuru invited us for a visit, and during our stay there, Kori’s aunt introduced us to timber business. We had some savings, including Sh100,000 in my bank account, and we contributed to start the timber business," Grace narrated.
Grace further narrates that the timber business picked up and Kori was awarded a government tender to supply poles for the Rural Electrification Authority.
As the business thrived, he formalized their union when he visited her parents in 2008 and asked for her hand in marriage.
Mary Wambui assisted Kori to build his business
"He generally just changed his character, but denied every time I asked him if he was having an affair.
"One day I received a text message from a woman who identified herself as Mary Wambui Kamangara. She told me that she wanted to confirm to me that she was the woman in my husband’s life.
"I called her and told her to stop dating my husband, and informed her we had a daughter together. She called my husband, who asked me to apologize to her, telling me that she was the one who had given us the timber contracts. I did so," Grace revealed.
According to Grace, in October 2010 Kori and Mary moved in to a house Kori built in Nakuru and from then she only got in touch with Kori when their daughter needed school fees, medical insurance and school textbooks.
"I blocked all avenues of trying to dig into how Mary and Kori lived. I just did not want to hear anything about their affair.
"I only heard about Mary’s murder and about the other woman on Monday. I am still in shock," she stated.
Kori is still my Husband
Grace has stated that she will stand with her husband through the trying time insisting that she forgave him and prays for him.
"It has been a mixture of emotions. I have always prayed to God to fight for me, but never in my wildest imagination did I wish death on Mary. She may have abused me several times, but I have never wanted her dead.
"I am a mother and she bore a child whose veins carry the same blood as my daughter’s. Her son is my daughter’s brother.
"The court will decide whether he is guilty or innocent, but I will stand by him. He is the father of my child and he taught me love after I experienced animosity from an abusive stepfather. He is still the only man I love. When I saw him in court, I saw a man overwhelmed by circumstances. He needs help," Grace stated.