Bid to stop division of Koinange wealth

A woman who was denied the inheritance of the late Mbiyu Koinange’s multibillion-shilling estate now wants to stop the distribution of the wealth.

Ms Eddah Wanjiru who claimed to be Koinange’s widow and had been one of the administrators to his estates, yesterday asked the court to allow her time to appeal against the judgement which she says disinherited her.

Lawyer Paul Muite said that Ms Wanjiru is seeking permission to appeal the judgment and in the meantime, she wants the distribution stopped. “If the estate is distributed before her appeal, she will suffer irreparable loss,” he said .

According to Mr Muite, the issue of Mr Koinange’s estates is so emotive among his family members and it would be unfair if the other beneficiaries go ahead to divide it only for the Court of Appeal to find that Ms Wanjiru was entitled to some portion.

Justice William Musyoka however declined to issue temporary orders stopping execution of his judgement, saying all parties in the dispute must be heard first before he makes any decision.

The judge, on September 25 declared that Ms Wanjiru is not a beneficiary of the estates valued at more than Sh17 billion on grounds she was not a wife of the late Koinange.

Justice Musyoka also stripped another woman, Ms Margaret Njeri of her claim of being Mr Koinange’s widow and went ahead to appoint Koinange’s two sons, David Njunu Koinange and David Waiganjo Koinange, to be the administrators of the estate.

The judge also revoked property owned by Ms Wanjiru and directed that it reverts to the estate.

He cancelled land whose titles had been misplaced or lost and directed the chief land registrar to issue new ones.

The judge listed 32 properties, including farms in different parts of the country and shares in companies, and directed the two brothers to take urgent steps to recover assets which changed hands in unclear circumstances

The hearing is scheduled for October 21.