What You Need to Know
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has released the will of his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua, to address allegations regarding the management of the estate. The executors aim to clarify concerns raised by beneficiaries and emphasize transparency in the estate’s administration. The will outlines the distribution of assets among family members and other beneficiaries.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly disclosed details of the will of his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua, in a move aimed at addressing mounting allegations of irregularities in the management and distribution of the deceased’s estate.
In a notice published in local dailies on Wednesday, Gachagua, who is listed as one of the executors of the estate alongside lawyer Mwai Mathenge and Njoroge Regeru, said the decision to make the will public was driven by persistent concerns raised by a section of beneficiaries.
“The statement aims to set the record straight with clarity and finality. From media reports, it appears that concerns have been raised by five out of the 23 beneficiaries,” the notice read.
The executors said they were compelled to release a comprehensive account of the estate’s administration to counter what they termed as a “public audit” being conducted without full access to records and relevant information.
“The Executors note that they have, in effect, been compelled to produce this accurate account of the Estate to ameliorate the prejudicial effect of a ‘public audit’ that is being conducted on the affairs of the Estate without the benefit of the full records, information and accounts,” the statement added.
The publication comes just days after some members of the Gachagua family reportedly wrote to President William Ruto seeking his intervention.
In their appeal, they called for investigations into alleged fraud, forgery and unlawful interference in the handling of the estate.
According to the executors, the contents of the will were not new and had long been known to all the 23 beneficiaries.
Nderitu Gachagua passed away on February 24, 2017, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Prior to his death, he executed a will dated February 17, 2017, clearly outlining how his wealth was to be distributed.
The will details an elaborate distribution plan for both family members and other beneficiaries.
A house located in the Lang’ata/Karen area of Nairobi was bequeathed to his first wife, Margaret Nyokabi, to hold in trust for the family.
Two additional properties, situated in Karen and Nyeri, were left to his second wife, Margaret Waithiegeni, who was already in occupation of the homes at the time of his death.
The executors confirmed that the titles for these properties have since been transferred to her in accordance with the deceased’s wishes.
The ancestral home, comprising four acres and a residential house, was allocated to the deceased’s two eldest sons, Kenneth Gachagua and Jason Kariuki, in equal shares.
The pair took possession of the property in 2022 and have reportedly been residing there since.
In addition, shares in Mweiga Homes were bequeathed to Rigathi Gachagua himself.
The will further outlines how the overall estate was to be shared. According to the distribution formula, 62 per cent of the net estate, after settlement of debts and liabilities, was allocated to Nderitu’s immediate family. A further 22 per cent was designated for 14 other beneficiaries, including siblings and step-siblings.
Administrative costs and liabilities to third parties accounted for 11 per cent of the estate, while the three executors were collectively allocated five per cent.
The statement also shed light on the sale of several high-value properties belonging to the estate, noting that they were disposed of at prices exceeding their reserve values.
Among them, Olive Gardens Hotel was sold for Sh412 million, significantly above its reserve price of Sh325 million. Queensgate Estate fetched Sh590 million against a reserve price of Sh470 million, while Vipingo Estate was sold for Sh250 million, surpassing its reserve price of Sh170 million. In total, the three transactions realised approximately Sh1.25 billion.
The executors defended the sales, describing them as the best offers available at the time and in line with their fiduciary duty to maximise value for beneficiaries.
The disclosure is expected to intensify public and family scrutiny over the estate, even as the executors maintain that all actions taken have been lawful, transparent and in strict adherence to the wishes of the deceased.
Nderitu Gachagua passed away on February 24, 2017, leaving behind a complex estate that has since become a source of contention among family members. The public disclosure of the will by Rigathi Gachagua is a strategic move to counter allegations of mismanagement and to ensure that the deceased’s wishes are honored. The estate includes valuable properties and shares, which have been a focal point of disputes among the beneficiaries. The executors have faced pressure from family members and public scrutiny regarding their handling of the estate.
