Kihika’s Sh600m estate bankrupt amid family dispute

The estate of Dickson Kihika Kimani, previously at the epicenter of a dispute between the late politician’s widows and his over 40 children, estimated at Sh 600 million, is now bankrupt.

John Githui, a lawyer representing two of the eight widows of the late politician, said that the estate cannot raise funds for its valuation.

The case was heard in the High Court in Nakuru on Wednesday, where Justice Samuel Mohochi informed the widows that an evaluation ordered in 2019 had yet to be done.

“The estate is broke and cannot raise money for its valuation. A property in Nairobi that was to be sold to raise the money is not even part of the deceased’s estate,” said the lawyer.

Seven years after Alice Mukuhi, the second widow, testified in 2017, lawyer Charles Kimathi, representing some beneficiaries, said there was a need for a valuation considering the decades of usage of the estate by the widows and their families.

Kimathi agreed with Githui that selling the disputed property in Nairobi may take time.

Another widow, Mary Wangari, who said she was speaking on behalf of four other widows—Winnie, Lucy, Charity, and Miriam—took the stand on June 13, 2024, and urged the court to ensure the estate is divided equally among all beneficiaries.

She proposed that the farm be divided and shared equally among the eight widows so they could share it with their children and grandchildren. In her testimony, she said, “I heard Margaret propose Rosyln Farm for herself and half of a 50-acre property in Engashura, Bahati. That is not fair because other widows and their children will have nothing to inherit.”

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She also testified that Marmanet Farm in Laikipia County, measuring 314 acres, has been occupied by Alice since 1973. She proposed that it be divided equally among all beneficiaries.

“Alice has been in exclusive occupation and wanted the portion to remain in her possession. I disagree with her and want it to be shared equally,” she said.

Wangari further noted that the 57-acre Subukia Shangilia Farm is in the possession of Jane Wanjiru, another widow who has occupied it since 2004. She insisted that it, too, be shared equally among the beneficiaries.

“If the three widows exclusively own the 314, 150, and 57 acres, others will lose, which would be unfair and prejudicial to them,” she said.

She added that she married Kihika in 1980 before he married four other women, and that all the women helped the deceased accumulate his wealth.

Lawyer John Githui urged the court to make a final judgment on the distribution of the remaining assets. He told the court that all the widows had sworn affidavits, and irrespective of the estate’s total value, each would receive a share.

“The court is invited to ensure equity in the distribution of the estate. For 19 years, five of the widows and their children have not received a share of the estate, which is currently in possession of the first three widows,” he said.

– By Ann Precious Kinyua