[2024] KEHC 10393 (KLR)

[2024] KEHC 10393 (KLR)

The court found that the will dated 11th October 2010 was a forgery, as established by the forensic document examiner's report and the suspicious circumstances surrounding its execution, including the deceased's bedridden state and lack of credible witness testimony. Consequently, the grant of probate issued on the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] KEHC 10393 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Chang'Masa Kiplagat Sogomo (Deceased); Applicant: Kiprotich A.K. Chesire; Respondent: Everline Jerono Kandie; Respondent: Grace Wambui Njenga
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nakuru
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Succession Cause 23 of 2011
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Judgment
Outcome
Grant of probate revoked; estate to be administered intestate by the deceased's adult children.
Judges
SM Mohochi
Legal Topics
Revocation of Grant, Validity of Will, Customary Marriage, Dependants Definition
Source Language
en
Family and Children Revocation of Grant Validity of Will Customary Marriage Dependants Definition

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Parties

Chang'Masa Kiplagat Sogomo (Deceased)

Applicant

Kiprotich A.K. Chesire

Applicant

Everline Jerono Kandie

Respondent

Grace Wambui Njenga

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Succession Cause / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the grant of probate was obtained fraudulently by use of a forged will.
  2. 2 Whether the will dated 11th October 2010 was valid and executed by the deceased.
  3. 3 Whether the objectors were wives of the deceased under customary law and thus dependants.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the will dated 11th October 2010 was a forgery, as established by the forensic document examiner's report and the suspicious circumstances surrounding its execution, including the deceased's bedridden state and lack of credible witness testimony. Consequently, the grant of probate issued on the basis of the forged will was revoked. The court further held that neither objector proved marriage to the deceased under Kalenjin customary law, as there was no corroborative evidence or witnesses to the alleged customary rites. The only proven beneficiaries were the deceased's children, as evidenced by their birth certificates. The estate was thus to be distributed intestate,...

Court Disposition

Grant of probate revoked; estate to be administered intestate by the deceased's adult children.

Orders

  • The grant of probate (with written will) made on 30th March 2011 is revoked.
  • The will dated 11th October 2010 is declared invalid and void.