Woman, 100, battles daughter-in-law over Sh15m gift

An elderly woman wants Nakuru Lands court to stop her daughter-in-law from evicting her from property worth Sh15 million measuring half an acre.

Esther Wangui who is the mother of Godfrey Wairegi, a former Gateway Insurance boss has accused her late son’s wife Jelioth Wanjira of planning to steal the property she was given as a gift by her children.

Ms Wangui, 100, has delegated the powers of attorney to her son John Gakure to sue Ms Wanjira on her behalf.

Wangui is referring to a four bedroomed house located in Njoro Sub-County within Nakuru County constructed on land title number Njoro/Njoro Block 5/309.

In the suit, her son wants the court to issue a permanent injunction restraining the defendant (Wanjira) from interfering with the plaintiff’s (Wangui) peaceful ownership of the property.

He also wants the defendant to be restricted from evicting the woman from the property, advertising the land, selling it, or leasing the property.

He claims that the plaintiff is the legal owner of the land since she was given by his brother who bought the land from his other brother Tom Wairegi before his demise.

“The deceased bought the land for Sh600,000 and together with other family members, they decided to construct a house for their mother to dwell in,” reads the suit.

Gakure accused Wanjira of threatening to evict and relocate the old woman from the property she legally owns.

He also accused her of fraud. “The defendant fraudulently caused to be registered as the sole owner of the suit property,” read the part of the suit.

He also claims that the defendant suspiciously applied to lift a caution lodged by Tom when the family discovered that she had procured her registration as the legal owner of the land.

He also avers that his mother is bound to suffer irreparable harm if the orders are not issued forthwith.

On her part, Wanjira maintains that she together with her husband, they are the legal owners and the property is registered in their name.

She accuses her brothers-in-law of using their mother’s power of attorney as a ploy to steal her property from her.

She claims that her mother-in-law might be involved in a property suit she is unaware since she has no legal or equitable interest in the property.

“I have not committed any civil or criminal wrong in having the land registered in my name because I did the same legally in accordance with the existing laws in Kenya,” said Wanjira.

Hearing of the case will be on February 7, 2020.