[2024] KEHC 539 (KLR)
The court found that the proposed mode of distribution had the consent of all beneficiaries except one, Cyrus Ndungu Kahura, who did not provide a substantive alternative or demonstrate that the distribution was inequitable or unlawful. The court held that the distribution captured all the deceased's properties and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 539 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Elizabeth Njeri Njenga; Applicant: Mary Wambui Kabucho; Applicant: Cyrus Ndungu Kahura; Respondent: All other beneficiaries (children and widows of the deceased)
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 3149 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Grant confirmed and estate distributed as proposed.
- Judges
- SN Riechi
- Legal Topics
- Succession, Distribution of Estate, Consent of Beneficiaries, Confirmation of Grant
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Elizabeth Njeri Njenga
Applicant
Mary Wambui Kabucho
Applicant
Cyrus Ndungu Kahura
Applicant
All other beneficiaries (children and widows of the deceased)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the proposed mode of distribution of the deceased's estate is equitable and in accordance with the law.
- 2 Whether the objection by one co-administrator (Cyrus Ndungu Kahura) invalidates the consent of the other beneficiaries.
- 3 Whether the grant as rectified should be confirmed as per the proposed distribution.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the proposed mode of distribution had the consent of all beneficiaries except one, Cyrus Ndungu Kahura, who did not provide a substantive alternative or demonstrate that the distribution was inequitable or unlawful. The court held that the distribution captured all the deceased's properties and was equitable among all beneficiaries. The objection of a single beneficiary, in the absence of evidence of unfairness or illegality, does not override the collective consent and the requirements of the Law of Succession Act. The grant as rectified was therefore confirmed, and the estate ordered to be distributed as proposed.
Court Disposition
Grant confirmed and estate distributed as proposed.
Orders
- The grant issued and rectified on 2.2.2022 is confirmed.
- The estate of Murimi Gichuhi is to be distributed among the beneficiaries as set out in the proposed mode of distribution.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
18 paragraphs
In re Estate of Murimi Gituchu (Deceased) (Succession Cause 3149 of 2014) [2024] KEHC 539 (KLR) (Family) (24 January 2024) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 539 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Family
Succession Cause 3149 of 2014
SN Riechi, J
January 24, 2024
Judgment
1. The Deceased Murimi Gichuhi died on June 7, 2003. At the time of death he had 3 wives:1. Elizabeth Njeri Murimi2. Veronca Njuki Murimi3. Veronica Njeri Murimi
2. The Children of each of the widows were:Elizabeth had 5 children:1. John Njenga2. Mary Wanjiku3. Joseph Gitau4. Nancy Nyokabi5. Jane WanjaVeronica Njoki had 6 children:1. Lucia Wanjiku2. Teresia Njeri3. Jacinta Wanja4. Silas Ndungu Kihara5. Nicholas Kabucho6. Susan NyokabiVeronica Njeri had 8 children:1. Francis Gituchuma2. Ann Wambui3. Mary Wanjiru Kamu4. Susan Wangui Murimi5. Peter Kimani6. Jane Njoki Murimi7. George Gitau8. Stanly Waweru
3. The Deceased had several properties.a.Account National Bankb.Land Mugugac.Plot in Lancetd.Land in Mai Mahiue.Plot Mugugaf.Shares in Muguga Kiug.House at Uthiruh.Kilimambogo Farmi.Purechin in Limuruj.Land at Utheri wa Lari
4. The grant was amended and rectified on 2. 2.2022 where the grant was issued to:1. Elizabeth Njeri Njenga2. Mary Wambui Kabucho3. Cyrus Ndungu Kahura
5. The administrators then filed this Summons for Confirmation dated 30. 7.2018 together with the proposed mode of distribution signed by the beneficiaries.
6. All the beneficiaries have consented to the mode of distribution except Cyrus Ndungu Kahura the Co-administrator who stated that the distribution is not according to the way deceased’s widows have wanted:
7. I have considered the proposed mode of distribution in paragraph 5 of the affidavit in support of the application. I find that all the beneficiaries have consented to the same except Cyrus the only beneficiary to oppose. I find the distribution has captured all the properties of the deceased and distributed among all the beneficiaries equitably.
8. Consequently, I hereby confirm the grant issued and rectified on 2. 2.2022 as follows:Muguga/muguga/1522John Njenga MurimiEstate of Mary Wanjiku MurimiNancy NyokabiJane Wanja KiharaLucia Wanjiku NdunguTeresiah Njeri NgureJecinta Wanja NgugiCyrus Ndungu KahuraNicholas Kabucho MurimiSusan Nyokabi Ng'ang'a 1/18 Share EachFrancis Gituchu MurimiAnne Wambui MuchiriMary Wanjiru KamauPeter Kimani MurimiSusan Wangui MurimiGeorge Gitau MurimiJane Njoki MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiMuguga/muguga/1560John Njenga MurimiNicholas Kabucho MurimiPeter Kimani Murimi In Equal SharesGeorge Gitau MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiMuguga/muguga/1561John Njenga MurimiNicholas Kabucho Murimi In Equal SharesPeter Kimani MurimiGeorge Gitau Murimi In Equal SharesStanley Waweru MurimiNku/mun/bl.22/560 Peter Kimani MurimiStanley Waweru Murimi - In Equal SharesNku/mun/bl.22/561 John Njenga MurimiMary Njeri Gitau - In Equal SharesNku/mun/bl.22/562 George Gitau MurimiNichola Kabucho Murimi - In Equal SharesNku/mun/bl.22/577 Mary Wanjiku Murimi - AbsolutelyCert No. 0029 Muguga Posho Mill Self HelpCyrus Ndung'u KahuraFrancis Gituchu MurimiJohn Njenga MurimiNicholas Kabucho Murimi In Equal SharesMary Njeri GitauPeter Kimani MurimiGeorge Gitau MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiCash At National BankJohn Njenga MurimiEstate Of Mary Wanjiku MurimiNancy NyokabiJane Wanja KiharaLucia Wanjiku NdunguTeresiah Njeri NgureJecinta Wanja NgugiCyrus Ndungu KahuraNicholas Kabucho MurimiSusan Nyokabi Ng'ang'a In Equal SharesFrancis Gituchu MurimiAnne Wambui MuchiriMary Wanjiru KamauPeter Kimani MurimiSusan Wangui MurimiGeorge Gitau MurimiJane Njoki MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiMary Njeri GitauLongonot/kijabe/block 4/278John Njenga Murimi Five AcresMary Njeri Gitau Two AcresNicholas Kabucho Murimi Six AcresPeter Kimani Murimi Five AcresGeorge Gitau Murimi Five AcresStanley Waweru Murimi Five AcresUtheri Wa Rari Shares Nicholas Kabucho Murimi – 1 Acre WholeLr No. 10242/26 (ir No. 62020)Estate Of Mary Wanjiku MurimiNancy NyokabiJane Wanja KiharaLucia Wanjiku NdunguTeresiah Njeri NgureJecinta Wanja Ngugi JointlySusan Wangui MurimiAnne Wambui MuchiriMary Wanjiru KamauSusan Nyokabi Ng'ang'aJane Njoki MurimiMuguga Investments SharesJohn Njenga MurimiNicholas Kabucho MurimiMary Njeri GitauPeter Kimani Murimi In Equal SharesGeorge Gitau MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiPlot No. 27a Muguga KiambaaJohn Njenga MurimiMary Njeri GitauNicholas Kabucho MurimiCyrus Ndungu KahuraFrancis Gituchu Murimi JointlyPeter Kimani MurimiGeorge Gitau MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiKairu Family A&b SharesJohn Njenga MurimiMary Njeri GitauNicholas Kabucho MurimiCyrus Ndungu KahuraFrancis Gituchu Murimi In Equal SharesPeter Kimani MurimiGeorge Gitau MurimiStanley Waweru MurimiShares Kikuyu Dairy Maziwa House UthiruJohn Njenga MurimiMary Njeri GitauNicholas Kabucho MurimiCyrus Ndungu KahuraFrancis Gituchu Murimi In Equal Shares.Peter Kimani MurimiGeorge Gitau MurimiStanley Waweru Murimi
DATED AT NAIROBI THIS 24TH DAY OF JANUARY 2024. .....................S. N. RIECHIJUDGE