[2020] KEHC 464 (KLR)
The court determined that the affidavits and documents filed by the petitioners did not provide a full and accurate account of all dealings with the intestate estate, particularly regarding bank accounts and business interests. Given the centrality of proper accounting to both the distribution of the estate and the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 464 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Regina Mukiri Gichunge; Applicant: Fridah Kanini Gichunge; Applicant: Damaris Kinoti; Respondent: Samwel Mutwiri; Respondent: Susan Nkirot; Respondent: Hellen Karimi Njure; Respondent: Ann Karuki; Respondent: Purity Karambu; Respondent: Mary Kanini
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 289 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Post Judgment Directions on Distribution and Accounts
- Outcome
- Further directions issued; professional audit of estate accounts ordered; matter remitted for final distribution upon completion of audit.
- Judges
- F Gikonyo, TW Cherere
- Legal Topics
- Intestate Succession, Estate Distribution, Accounting of Estate, Reasonable Provision
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Regina Mukiri Gichunge
Applicant
Fridah Kanini Gichunge
Applicant
Damaris Kinoti
Applicant
Samwel Mutwiri
Respondent
Susan Nkirot
Respondent
Hellen Karimi Njure
Respondent
Ann Karuki
Respondent
Purity Karambu
Respondent
Mary Kanini
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Post Judgment Directions on Distribution and Accounts
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the petitioners have provided full and accurate accounts of the intestate estate as ordered by the court.
- 2 Whether the distribution of the intestate estate can proceed in the absence of comprehensive accounts and documentation.
- 3 What process should be followed to ensure proper accounting and distribution of the estate.
Ratio Decidendi
The court determined that the affidavits and documents filed by the petitioners did not provide a full and accurate account of all dealings with the intestate estate, particularly regarding bank accounts and business interests. Given the centrality of proper accounting to both the distribution of the estate and the determination of reasonable provision, the court found it necessary to order a professional audit of the estate accounts. The parties were directed to agree on a professional to conduct the audit within 30 days, failing which the court would appoint one. The professional's report is to be filed within 30 days of appointment. The matter was remitted to the High Court at Meru for...
Court Disposition
Further directions issued; professional audit of estate accounts ordered; matter remitted for final distribution upon completion of audit.
Orders
- A professional audit of all dealings and transactions in respect of the intestate estate, especially bank accounts, shall be conducted.
- Parties to agree on the professional or firm to conduct the audit within 30 days; failing agreement, the court will appoint one.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
29 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MERU
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 289 OF 2012
In the Matter of the Estate of Jacob Gichunge Muchiri-Deceased
REGINA MUKIRI GICHUNGE.........................................................1ST PETITIONER
FRIDAH KANINI GICHUNGE........................................................2ND PETITIONER
-VERSUS-
DAMARIS KINOTI.....................................................................................APPLICANT
SAMWEL MUTWIRI.............................................................................RESPONDENT
SUSAN NKIROT, HELLEN KARIMI NJURE, ANN KARUKI,
PURITY KARAMBU & MARY KANINI...............................INTERSTED PARTIES
RULING
Distribution of intestate property and accounts
[1] The court made the following orders in its judgment delivered on 2nd July 2019: -
i. That the intestate as well as the bank accounts mentioned in the will but were not testamentary transmitted shall be distributed by the court after parties have filed submissions on distribution thereto. The certificate of confirmation of grant shall be accordingly amended.
ii. That the petitioners shall in 30 days of today provide and file a full and accurate account as at the date of death of the deceased, how much was disbursed and to which beneficiaries and when. They shall also file all transfer and or bank documents to support all such transactions within 30 days of today.
iii. In light of the position taken by the court on the foregoing issues, the quest for reasonable provision shall be decided during distribution of the intestate estate. Parties shall address this issue in their submissions.
[2] To distribute the intestate estate, the court was acutely aware the need for full and accurate details of all the intestate estate. Similarly, the court was alive to the centrality of full and accurate accounts in respect of all intestate estate. The court also was clear that in light of the full and accurate accounts and details of how intestate estate was dealt with by the petitioners, it would consider the quest for reasonable provision. Hence, court ordered provision of the details of the intestate property as well as full and accurate estate account in respect of the intestate estate assets. The petitioner has filed an affidavit and a further affidavit dated 20th September, 2019 and 12th March, 2020 together with documents annexed thereto. I have perused the said filings by the petitioner as well as affidavits filed by the other parties. But, due to the ultimate decision that will become clear soon, I will not delve into the substantive issues argued; I will state just enough to support the direction the court will take.
[3] The affidavit by ANN KARUKI has raised quite substantive omissions in the petitioner’s affidavits. Of specific importance is that the accounts, statements and documents provided do not cover all dealings with the intestate properties of the deceased. For instance, it does not provide a schemic or visual graphic display of paper trail of funds in all bank accounts in issue from the date the deceased died up to the time of filing the accounts. Such display of accounts should be clear to the court. Again, details of all transactions relating to the petrol station, soda business, cigarette business and shop business including change of names thereto are lacking. These issues are critical in the final distribution of the intestate estate as well as determination of the question of reasonable provision herein.
[4] In light thereof, proper accounts of all dealings and transactions in respect of the intestate accounts especially the bank accounts should be carried out by a professional person giving details of all transactions thereto and supported by appropriate accountable documentation. The person or firm of professional to carry out this assignment shall be agreed among the parties within 30 days hereof, which failing, the court shall appoint the person or firm of professionals to carry out the assignment within 30 days of expiry of the time first allowed hereinabove. The said professional accounts shall be filed in court within 30 days of the appointment. The court will also ascertain all bank accounts of the estate for purposes of accounts hereto ordered. I therefore, remit the file back to Meru for the above actions to be taken. The judge who will preside over the matter shall also determine distribution of intestate estate. It is so ordered.
Dated and signed at Narok this 14th day of November 2020
.......................
F. GIKONYO
JUDGE
Dated, signed and delivered at Meru this 16th day of December 2020
.............................
T. W. CHERERE
JUDGE