Saitoti’s son, widow to share estate equally

By Pamela Chepkemei

Nairobi, Kenya: The estate of the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti will be distributed equally between his widow and son, a court ordered.

The assets listed in the documents filed at High Court in Nairobi indicate that the estate is worth Sh84.5 million.  But the value could be more than the amount indicated because the widow has given accounts he held in five banks, but has not stated the amount of cash in the banks.

The High Court in Nairobi allowed an application filed by the widow, Margaret, last December through a law firm. Margaret filed the application on behalf of her son and only child Zachary Musengi.  She told the court she had the consent of Zachary to file the case. The application was not contested. Judge William Musyoka of Family Division directed Wednesday that the estate be distributed equally between Margaret and Zachary.

“The grant is confirmed and the estate will be distributed as per the will of the deceased,” said Justice Musyoka. Saitoti died in a plane crash last June. A police helicopter he was travelling in with his assistant Orwa Ojode and four others crashed at Kibiku area in Ngong killing all occupants.

The minister left a will indicating that his estate be divided equally between his widow and son.

The properties listed in the court documents filed through Shapley and Barret Advocates are land, residential houses, plots, motor vehicles, and shares.

The former minister owned land valued at Sh26.8 million and plots worth Sh6.7 million. His houses are listed as valued at Sh35.5 million. The houses are in Muthaiga, Lavington, Nyali,and Karen.

Four motor vehicles and a tractor are listed as worth Sh9.5 million. The minister had invested in shares worth Sh6 million and unstated amount of cash held in five banks. He had a debt of Sh5 million, which he owed a construction company.

Treated abroad

Margaret had asked the court to fast track the case because she is scheduled for treatment abroad. Her doctor said she required urgent medical attention and recommended that she be treated abroad.

She said her health had deteriorated since the death of her husband. Margaret is also battling a case filed by a couple who claim that Zachary is their child. Mr Sebastian Ngunju  and his wife have gone to court seeking a private prosecution against the late minister’s widow claiming that Zachary is their son kidnapped from their home in Subukia 24 years ago.

Mr Ngunju, who is a teacher, wants the widow charged with wrongfully keeping in confinement a kidnapped or abducted person. They filed the case in Nakuru magistrate’s court to be allowed to privately prosecute Margaret, but the High Court suspended the suit until an application challenging the matter is heard.