The rich also cry: Succession wars tearing apart Kenya's prominent families

A simmering succession dispute over the estate of the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has once again drawn national attention to the complex and often prolonged battles surrounding inheritance in Kenya.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a brother to the late Governor, has defended the administration of the estate, insisting the process followed the wishes expressed in his brother’s will.

Speaking in an interview, he said succession matters are the preserve of courts and should be resolved through legal channels.

“The law of succession is handled by courts of law. If anybody is dissatisfied with what is happening in a succession implementation, you go to court,” he said.

According to him, his brother, who died in 2017, left behind a comprehensive Will that specified how his wealth estimated at about Sh2 billion should be shared among beneficiaries.

He said the document listed 21 beneficiaries and outlined the percentages each would receive once the assets were liquidated.

“Some were getting 10 per cent, others five per cent, others two per cent or three per cent, all clearly indicated in the Will,” he said.

Three executors, including the deceased’s lawyer, a close associate and a family member, were appointed to oversee the process. Gachagua said the Will was read in court and adopted, allowing executors to sell assets, settle debts and distribute the proceeds.

However, the matter has since taken a dramatic turn, with the deceased’s  widow Margaret Nyokabi and her children claiming the Will cited by Gachagua was forged and that the family has suffered years of injustice.

In a public appeal, they asked President William Ruto to sanction investigations into alleged fraud and unlawful dealings involving the estate.

Their complaint reflects a broader pattern in Kenya, where inheritance disputes frequently drag on for decades in court, leaving families unable to access property and wealth left behind by their loved ones.

Across the country, numerous succession cases have remained unresolved for decades, tying up billions of shillings in property and assets.

Legal experts say disputes over inheritance are among the most complex cases handled in Kenyan courts, often involving polygamous families, contested Wills, and claims by individuals asserting beneficiary status.

Statistics from the Judiciary show that thousands of succession cases remain pending, with more than 13,000 matters reportedly awaiting determination in Nairobi courts alone.

Many of these disputes span generations, with some beneficiaries dying before courts resolve the matter.

Mbiyu Koinange

Perhaps Kenya’s most famous inheritance battle involves the estate of Mbiyu Koinange, whose family has been locked in court battles for more than four decades.

Koinange died in 1981 without leaving a Will, triggering a succession dispute among his widows and children over property estimated to be worth tens of billions of shillings.

Court records show the family comprised four houses from different marriages, each seeking a share of the vast estate that included prime land parcels and business interests.

According to the High Court in Succession Cause No. 527 of 1981, Koinange died intestate, leaving his family to rely on the Law of Succession Act to determine how the estate should be distributed.

Over the years, numerous objections, applications for revocation of grants, and claims by alleged beneficiaries have complicated the process.

In some instances, individuals claimed widowhood or family ties, prompting additional hearings and delays.

In 2020, High Court judge Aggrey Muchelule issued a ruling confirming the grant of representation and outlining the distribution of the estate after nearly 40 years of litigation.

But even that judgment did not fully end the disputes, with other land-related suits continuing in courts.

Njenga Karume

Another high-profile dispute surrounds the estate of businessman and politician Njenga Karume, whose empire has been estimated at about Sh200 billion.

Karume died in 2013 leaving behind a will and a trust structure intended to manage his vast assets.

Despite these arrangements, family members challenged aspects of the estate’s management in court, accusing trustees of mismanaging funds and failing to distribute benefits properly.

The dispute has had tragic consequences. Court proceedings revealed that some family members died before they could access their inheritance due to the ongoing litigation and frozen assets.

The case illustrates how even well-documented estate plans can become contentious once competing interests emerge among beneficiaries.

James Kanyotu

The estate of former intelligence chief James Kanyotu is another example of how family disputes can derail succession processes.

Kanyotu died in 2008 leaving behind a massive empire estimated at more than Sh20 billion, as well as two widows and numerous children.

However, disagreements among family members over the management of the estate delayed the issuance of letters of administration for years.

Court filings revealed deep divisions within the family, with some relatives accusing others of attempting to control the estate’s lucrative businesses.

Legal proceedings have dragged on for more than a decade as courts attempt to resolve disputes over beneficiaries and property management.

Gerishom Kirima

The estate of former Starehe MP Gerishom Kirima has also become a long-running legal drama. Kirima died in 2010 leaving behind vast property holdings.

Initially, two Wills surfaced claiming to represent the deceased’s wishes, but the High Court later annulled both documents and declared that he had died intestate.

The court subsequently appointed his widow Teresia Wairimu and daughter Anne Wangari as joint administrators of the estate.

However, disagreements between the administrators led to years of legal wrangles.

In February 2025, the court removed Teresia Wairimu as administrator after accusations that she had continued collecting rent from estate properties without authorization.

The ruling transferred administrative authority to stepson Stephen Kirima, though disputes over the estate’s management have continued.

Kenneth Matiba

Other well-known succession cases include the estate of politician Kenneth Matiba, who died in 2018 without a will.

The absence of a testament triggered disputes among family members over assets estimated at about Sh372 million.

Kihika Kimani

Kihika’s death on November 19, 2004, sparked a protracted succession battle involving his eight widows and more than 40 children, each claiming a share of his vast wealth. During his political peak, the firebrand legislator amassed billions of shillings in land, real estate, company shares and businesses

Justice David Majanja

Justice Majanja, who died on July 10, 2024, had left behind a valid will dated June 21, 2014.

The will was confirmed by the court in July 2025, and executors were appointed to administer the estate.

However, a dispute arose over the deceased’s Group Life Assurance (GLA) proceeds amounting to Sh22,041,340, which are currently held by the Judiciary.

One of the beneficiaries, the late Majanja’s younger brother, Martin Aluvisia Majanja, moved to court seeking orders directing the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary to release the funds to him.

Justice Majanja’s parents also appealed to the Judiciary to expedite the release of benefits due to his estate. The funds were intended to support the aged and ailing parents in accessing treatment and meeting their basic needs. The judge’s father, Gerishom Majanja, said they had provided everything required for the payment but have been frustrated by the continued postponement of a ruling in the matter.

In Nakuru, the estate of billionaire businessman Stephen Kung’u—estimated to be worth around Sh50 billion—also ended up in court shortly after his death, with family members disputing ownership of businesses and property.

Elsewhere, succession battles have continued for decades over estates such as those of politician JM Kariuki and businessman Patrick Roki Wanyee.

Source of disputes

These cases highlight the enduring nature of inheritance disputes in Kenya, where legal processes sometimes outlive the original beneficiaries.
Legal practitioners attribute the delays to several factors.

One major issue is the complexity of polygamous families, where several households claim rights to the same estate.

Disputes over paternity and beneficiary status also contribute to prolonged litigation.

Another challenge arises when individuals begin dealing with estate property before the courts issue letters of administration.

Such actions, known in law as “intermeddling,” often lead to further disputes and criminal allegations.

Lawyers also cite contested Wills as a major source of litigation. When family members suspect forgery or manipulation, courts must conduct lengthy proceedings to verify the authenticity of documents.

While the legal disputes revolve around property and wealth, the human cost is often immense.

Families frequently endure years of financial hardship while estates remain frozen in court.

In some cases, beneficiaries die before the matter is resolved, leaving their own heirs to continue the legal battles.

The result is a cycle of litigation that can stretch across generations.

Legal experts say Kenya’s succession system requires reforms to prevent such prolonged disputes.

They argue that greater public awareness about writing Wills could reduce conflicts after death.

Others have called for specialized probate courts and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to speed up succession cases. Inheritance disputes in Kenya continue to lock families in decades-long legal battles, denying beneficiaries the chance to enjoy the wealth left behind by their loved ones.

Despite the existence of clear legal frameworks under the Law of Succession Act, many estates remain tied up in courts due to contested wills, polygamous family structures, and disputes over property ownership.

Court records show that succession disputes are among the most common cases in Kenyan courts, with many dragging on for years.

Several High Court rulings in recent years highlight the complexity of these disputes.

In one succession matter determined in 2025, the court had to intervene to appoint joint administrators in order to end a conflict among siblings who had battled for years over their deceased relative’s estate.

The court noted that the move was necessary to “bring closure to a longstanding battle amongst the beneficiaries” and ensure proper accounting of estate assets before distribution.

Many cases stem from families failing to prepare Wills before death, leaving relatives to rely on the courts to determine who should inherit property.

In other instances, even where wills exist, beneficiaries challenge their authenticity or accuse administrators of mismanaging assets.

In Kenya, succession conflicts account for a significant proportion of land disputes, with estimates suggesting that more than a quarter of unresolved property cases are related to inheritance disagreements.

The human cost of these legal battles is often severe. Families may spend years attending court hearings while property remains unused and bank accounts inaccessible. In some cases, beneficiaries die before the courts reach a final determination, leaving their own heirs to continue the fight.

Judicial officers have increasingly encouraged mediation as a faster way of resolving such disputes, noting that family conflicts over inheritance rarely end with a clear winner and often leave relationships permanently damaged.