Kirima reunited with his family

Tears flowed freely on Tuesday as octogenarian Gerishon Kirima met his children, some of whom he had not seen in over two years.

He hugged the children and grandchildren who had broken the gate to his Kitusuru home in Nairobi to reach him.

Mr Kirima’s family members alleged that they had been denied access to their father by a relative.

Under the supervision of Westlands district commissioner Flora Mworoa, the sons, daughters, and grandchildren broke the gate at 7.30am.

They included eldest son Wanjau Kirima, his brother Steve and sisters Maria, Irene, Ruth and Bishop Gathoni.

They had spent the night outside, pleading with armed policemen to let them in.

Ms Mworoa asked the officers to open the gates but they refused and finally the group forced its way in.

Nairobi provincial police boss Anthony Kibuchi also talked with 80-year-old Kirima.

Dr J. A. Aluoch was called in to examine the old man but left after a few minutes. An ambulance remained behind “just in case”.

“We are happy we have seen him. It has been a long time… it’s such a relief,” said Bishop Gathoni.

Mr Kirima’s children said his health began to deteriorate after the death of his first wife, Agnes, in 2006.

The eldest son is engaged in a court battle to be allowed to manage his father’s vast estate, which he claims is being mismanaged by third parties.

The family also called in Mr Kirima’s younger brother and one of his estate’s trustees, James Njuguna, who said he last saw his brother in May, last year.