Bishop sons fight for control of Sh295m property

The fight for control of a Sh295 million property of the late Holy Ghost Church of East Africa Bishop Elijah Mwangi has entered another phase as his sons remain divided on a formula of sharing it.

Philip Karanja, 54, has challenged the grant of letters of administration issued to his elder brother Michael Kamau, 56.

Kamau was on April 29, 2016 issued with the grant to administer 577 acres in Subukia. Out of these, Karanja claims ownership of 420 acres worth Sh295,573,000 as Kamau insists that the property must be shared with the rest of the siblings equitably.

Karanja, who testified last week before Justice Rachel Ng’etich, claimed Kamau had frustrated his peaceful possession of the property.

“My father gave me exclusive ownership to occupy and develop the 420 acres while my elder brother was away,” testified Karanja. "He rewarded me for my obedience, hard work and honesty."

He said he had helped develop and manage the property for 35 years while Kamau was in the U.S for 29 years.

But Kamau said as a family, they agreed to share the 420 acres among the five of them. He insisted there was no way their father could reward Karanja with 420 acres and leave the rest of the children out.

He said in consideration of Karanja’s input on the development of the land, the family agreed to give him 120 acres while the rest get 60.

The property is part of 1,805 acres left by Bishop Mwangi who died in 2012. Before his death, the cleric shared 1,228 acres among his five children, Loice Wangari, 62, Jacob Ihugo, 58, Kamau, Karanja and David Mungai, 50.

The remaining 577 acres host a house inherited by Karanja from their father.