Politician’s widows storm speaker’s home in family feud

Widows of former Nakuru MP Dickson Kihika Kimani protest on January 13, 2016 at Engashura in Bahati, Nakuru County, accusing their step-daughter, Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika, of trying to disinherit them. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The furious widows stormed her home at the Engashura farm in Bahati constituency and broke the gates, accusing her of ganging up with her mother and using her powers to defraud them of their inheritance.
  • A source close to the family told the Nation that the conflict arose after Speaker Kihika allegedly hired private guards to evict a tenant who had leased part of property for eight years.
  • The Nation sought a comment from Ms Kihika, but by Thursday she had not responded to a text message sent to her through her personal assistant.

Seven widows of former Nakuru politician Dickson Kihika Kimani on Wednesday stormed the home of Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika, accusing her of attempting to disinherit them of their husband’s property.

Ms Kihika is one of the late politician’s daughters.

The furious widows stormed her home at the Engashura farm in Bahati constituency and broke the gates, accusing her of ganging up with her mother and using her powers to defraud them of their inheritance.

The seven widows, led by Margaret Wambui Kihika, 85, accused the Speaker of conspiring to acquire the property illegally.

Mama Wambui was injured during the confrontation at the 42-acre piece of land, while a family member was arrested.

Police arrived at the scene but backed off after a call from their "seniors".

“I am the first wife of the late and I bought the land together with my husband. I have lived with other family members peacefully but the Speaker and her mother are evicting everyone,” she said.

The octogenarian, wielding a chain cutter, led the others in breaking down the two gates.

The Nation sought a comment from Ms Kihika, but by Thursday she had not responded to a text message sent to her through her personal assistant.

END BRAWL

Ms Hellen Wangari, a daughter of the one-time Nakuru MP, appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and end the family brawl.

“She has violated the family agreement and the law of the land by evicting and barring other family members (from accessing) their properties. She should restrain her hunger for power,” Ms Wangari said.

A source close to the family told the Nation that the conflict arose after Speaker Kihika allegedly hired private guards to evict a tenant who had leased part of the property for eight years.

“The family has supported the tenant, who has set up a talent school in the premises, but Ms Kihika used her powers to evict the tenant,” said the source, who sought anonymity to avoid antagonising the family.

Part of the property had been rented to Mr Lawrence Karani, who was running the Kenya Sports and Talent School.