The inheritance battle over the late James Karani Gitao’s estate is a jaw-dropping tale of alleged forgery, betrayal, and family feuds that reads like a movie script.
It is turning out to be one of the most dramatic succession cases in recent history. The drama kicked off following the death of James Karani Gitao on October 25, 2011.
His family jumped into succession proceedings in 2012, wielding what they claimed was Gitao’s last will. At the centre of the controversy is Gitao’s daughter, Winifred Wangari Karani, who stands accused of concocting a phoney will to stash away assets worth over Ksh 8 billion from creditors and even her own siblings.
Two supposed witnesses, who swore affidavits denying any involvement, have slammed this purported will, allegedly drafted on November 15, 2010, as a fake.
Key witnesses have come forward to disown the will. Charles Luvai, a gardener, and Esther Macharia, a house manager, have both declared in sworn affidavits that they never signed the will in question.
Their affidavits reveal inconsistencies in the signatures and personal details, which cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the document presented in court. The Gitao estate is facing significant challenges.
Among the contested assets is a 333.4-acre piece of land on Kenyatta Road, Kiambu County, where an acre can fetch up to Ksh 25 million. We’re talking about land parcels collectively valued at Ksh 10 billion, shares in top Kenyan companies, and a host of other valuable assets.
The supposedly forged will leaves these riches to Gitao’s widow, Edith Wanjiku, and their four children. Wanjiku passed away in 2017.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is looking into the forgery and perjury claims following a complaint by Ms. Karani’s ex-husband, Kenneth Mwige, who is also seeking compensation for a business destroyed during an eviction allegedly instigated by Winifred.
According to Mwige, Winifred Karani instigated an illegal eviction and destroyed his business on a piece of land in Ruiru. Winifred allegedly received this land, which was part of the contested estate, through the dubious will.
Milton Kuyers, an American family friend, claims a Ksh 129 million debt remains unsettled. Since Gitao’s death on October 25, 2011, controversy has plagued the succession proceedings.
According to the contested will, the family initiated the process in 2012. However, Mwige claims Gitao had a valid will from June 21, 2000, drafted by Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, which should take precedence.
Ms. Karani faces accusations of selling estate assets, including a Ksh 40 million land sale in Ruiru, without the necessary court authority. The estate’s total value is in question, with Ms. Karani and her siblings reporting their mother’s estate at a mere Ksh 2 million, a figure sharply contested by Mwige and Kuyers.
As the DCI and courts handle the matter, the outcome will set a precedent for handling such high-stakes succession battles in the future. For now, the battle over Gitao’s estate remains a cautionary tale in managing successions.