Over the years, Kenya has seen children of prominent politicians and businesspeople locked in protracted court battles over properties left behind by their wealthy parents.
Such court battles have led to ugly fights that have publicly exposed deep-rooted distrust among these families.
Here are children from rich families that have been caught up in court battles over multi-billion estates left behind by the departed patriarch.
John Michuki family
Former Transport Minister John Michuki’s daughter, Yvonne Wanja sued her siblings Anne Mutahi and Fred Chege over a multi-billion estate held in land and real estate.
The estate include Cargen House on Nairobi’s Harambee Avenue, Windsor Hotel and Gateway Insurance Company among other assets
Wanja headed to court demanding a sixth of the property, further accusing his siblings, who were given powers by the High Court to administer the estate, of mismanaging it.
Gerishon Kirima family
The family of former Starehe MP Gerishon Kirima was involved in a three-year court battle over ownership of his vast estate.
In this particular case, Kirima’s third wife Teresia Wairimu was locked in a bitter court battle her step children over the control of property owned by Kirima.
The feud ended in 2013 after the court distributed the businessman’s wealth among family members that had been named as beneficiaries.
Nyachae Family
The late Nyachae’s Ksh2 billion estate has been the subject of a prolonged court case. Margaret Chweya went to court claiming that Nyachae was her husband and they had sired three children with the politician. Her daughter however denied knowing Simeon Nyachae saying her father was one George Gordon Odero.
James Kanyotu family
Former chief spy James Kanyotu died in 2018 leaving behind an estate estimated at Ksh 200 million held in hotels, banking, mining, insurance, real estate, aviation and large-scale farming.
Following his death, some women claiming he had sores children with them and demanded to be considered as beneficiaries of his vast estate.
At some point, Kanyotu’s body was exhumed for purposes of conducting a DNA test in the wealth dispute.
Such was Willy Kihara, a member of the Kanyotu family whose paternity was in question.
He was involved in a court battle between a company called Marriot Africa International over ownership of the late spy’s Ksh 10 billion land in Ruiru.
Kanyotu widows Margaret Nyakinyua and Mary Wanjiku were also involved in the case.
Mbiyu Koinange family
Former Cabinet Minister Paul Mbiyu Koinange died in September 1981 leaving behind and estate worth over Ksh 30 billion.
Koinange’s disputed property included a 240 acres of land adjacent to Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi valued at Ksh 2.88 billion.
The land was 600 acres but about 260 acres were later sold to an international investment group and another 100 acres to Centum Investment, which used it to construct the Two Rivers Mall.
Other properties include a Ksh billion undeveloped plot in Nairobi CBD next to Re-insurance Plaza.
In the case, Koinange’s son, George Kihara was disputing the inclusion of his step mothers Margaret Njeri Mbiyu and Eddah Wanjiru Mbiyu in the property split.
Josiah Mwangi (JM) Kariuki
Politician Josiah Mwangi’s death in March 1975 was followed by a succession battle pitting his three widows Doris Nyambura, Esther Mwikali and Terry Wanjiki.
He died without a will and so his widows and their children laid claim to his estate.
His property included huge tracts of land, real estate, hotels, large-scale farming, beer distribution and and shares in various companies.
The dispute escalated in 2009 after Nyambura sought a review of a ruling that recognised two women as widows and beneficiaries of the estate.
Dickson Kihika Kimani
Former Nakuru MP Dickson Kihika Kimani died in the early 2003 leaving behind an estate estimated at Ksh 600 million.
The estate is under administration of his four widows, Margaret Wambui and her co-wives, Alice Mukuhi, Mary Wangari and Miriam Warau.
The properties include a 50-acre parcel of land in Engashura, Bahati and vast lands in Rumuruti, Laikipia County estimated to be about 1,000 acres.
Others are three plots in Naivasha and one in Nairobi valued at over Ksh 100 million.
The succession suit also led to the arrest and conviction of one of Kihika’s daughters, Peris Njoki, in 2015 of assaulting her step-sister, Caroline Wanjiku.
Joseph Kamotho family
Veteran politician Joseph Kamotho died in December 2014 leaving behind a Ksh 250 million fortune.
Kamotho had a will detailing how his estate was to be shared but he died without signing it. Immediately, differences ensued whether the family would use the will or file a succession case without it.
His properties includeed a five parcels of land at Gacharage, another one at Kakuzi, a house at Jadenville Country Homes and his matrimonial house at Kitisuru.
He had also bought shares in Safaricom, KenGen, Britam Limited, Absa’s predecessor Barclays, Sameer Africa and had a bank account at Standard Bank.
Maurice Marie Guillaume De Brouwer
Kiambi tycoon Maurice Marie Guillaume De Brouwer died in 2005 and left behind a will showing how his properties would be distributed upon his death.
However, 16 years later, his widow Regina Njeri De Brouwer, is yet to sign documents allowing the distribution of his property.
The property include prime parcels of land in the lush Tigoni area and others in Switzerland, Belgium, and France, which were not covered in his written will.
