Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended the process through which he inherited part of his late brother’s estate, dismissing claims by family members that they were disinherited.
The dispute has attracted public attention after members of the late Nderitu Gachagua’s family petitioned President William Ruto, seeking intervention over alleged irregularities in the management and distribution of the estate. The family claimed there were cases of fraud, forgery, and inconsistencies in the will.
In a letter dated March 23, 2026, the family argued that the will did not reflect the true intentions of the deceased, further alleging that he was critically ill at the time and could not have executed such a detailed document. They also claimed that certain individuals may have orchestrated a plan to sideline some beneficiaries.
However, speaking on Friday, March 27, Rigathi Gachagua dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the succession process followed the law and was concluded years ago.
He explained that his late brother had prepared a comprehensive will that catered for multiple beneficiaries, including his wives, children, siblings, and other dependents. According to Gachagua, the will listed a total of 21 beneficiaries, each allocated a specific share of the estate.
Gachagua said the will also appointed three executors who were tasked with overseeing the distribution process, including the sale of assets, settlement of debts, and sharing of the remaining proceeds among beneficiaries.
He revealed that in 2018, all beneficiaries appeared in court and agreed to the contents of the will before a judge, who formally adopted it and authorised its implementation.
“Once a will is read and agreed upon, the matter is taken to court. We all went to court and confirmed we were satisfied with its contents,” Gachagua said, adding that the process was carried out transparently.
He further stated that the estate was distributed accordingly, with properties sold, debts settled, and proceeds shared among beneficiaries, noting that no objections were raised at the time.
Gachagua questioned why the matter is being revisited several years later, suggesting that the renewed dispute could be politically motivated. He also criticised attempts to involve the President, arguing that succession matters fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the courts.
He insisted that the President has no authority to reverse decisions made through a court-sanctioned process, describing such claims as misleading.
The unfolding dispute now highlights tensions within the family, as well as broader questions about succession, legal processes, and the role of political influence in private matters.
