Ex-spy chief Kanyotu’s body might be exhumed for DNA test in paternity row
From left: Lawyers James Njiha, Peter Munge and Judy Thong'ori, who represent the late James Kanyotu's children, at the High Court on March 11, 2015. The former spy chief's remains might be exhumed to ascertain the lineage of a man claiming to be his son. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Willy Kihara Njoki claims to be the son of the late Kanyotu.
- Kihara is claiming that some of the beneficiaries of Mr Kanyotu’s estate were doubting his parentage and plotting to disinherit him.
- A report by a government chemist concluded that Mr Kihara, 40, was not related to the late Kanyotu.
- Lawyers representing Mr Kanyotu’s children have objected to the request to exhume the body.
Former spy chief James Kanyotu’s remains might be exhumed to ascertain the lineage of a man claiming to be his son.
Justice Lydia Achode allowed the application by Mr Willy Kihara Njoki to proceed to a full hearing before she makes a decision on whether to issue an order to unearth Mr Kanyotu’s body for a DNA test, almost seven years after he was buried.
“The application seeking that the remains be exhumed and extracts taken for DNA analysis is admitted for hearing,” said Judge Achode.
Mr Kihara is claiming that some of the beneficiaries of Mr Kanyotu’s estate were doubting his parentage and plotting to disinherit him on claims that he is not their half-brother.
RELATIONSHIP DOUBTS
Doubts about Mr Kihara’s relationship to the former spy chief emerged following an order by High Court Judge Luka Kimaru that those claiming a share of the multibillion-shilling estate undergo a DNA test.
A report by a government chemist concluded that Mr Kihara, 40, was not related to Mr Kanyotu, since his DNA did not match that of any of the children of Mr Kanyotu’s four widows.
Lawyers representing Mr Kanyotu’s children have objected to the request to exhume the body.
They want Mr Kihara to deposit in court Sh20 million that he allegedly received from the estate before the hearing proceeds on May 13.
