Wamalwa widow sued by children

Former vice-president Michael Wamalwa’s widow has been sued by her step-children over Sh36.5 million paid to the family as gratuity after his death.

The children, Ms Alice Muthoni Wamalwa and Mr William Wamalwa, want the High Court in Nairobi to order their step-mother, Mrs Yvonne Wamalwa, to account for Sh8 million she allegedly received on behalf of two children who were minors then.

They claimed that there was an agreement that Mr William Wamalwa and his brother, William Wamalwa Junior, would be paid Sh4 million each.

They are further seeking court orders to compel their step-mother to account for Sh3.4 million which they claim was found in their father’s briefcase at the time of his death in London on August 23, 2003.

The court was told that some of the children, who are beneficiaries of the former VP’s estate, are still in school and risk dropping out if their outstanding fees are not cleared.

The children claim the Sh3.4 million was deposited  with the law firm of Khaminwa  and Khaminwa Advocates  and that they have never been told  where the money is.

Ms Muthoni and her brother also accuse their step-mother of not involving them in the running of their father’s estate.

They also want to know how the income from the rent of their house in Karen is spent.

Mr Wiliam Wamalwa, who is a student at the University of Nairobi, says that he has not been able to sit for exams for the last two semesters because he has fees arrears.

He says that in 2005, he stumbled on a cheque of Sh2 million written in his name and that of his younger brother, Wamalwa Junior, and which had been deposited in the National Bank.

When he enquired at the bank, he was referred to his step-mother, who told him that she had used the money to purchase a house for the brothers in Lang’ata Estate.

She then left for Australia when she was appointed Deputy High Commissioner. Mr William Wamalwa said she had only sent him Sh30,000 since.

The court certified the case urgent and directed that Mrs Wamalwa be served with the suit documents. The hearing was scheduled for May 21.