Family of late Gachagua seeks State intervention in estate row
The family of the late Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua is appealing to President William Ruto for justice. Led by Margaret Nyokabi Nderitu and her four children, the family claims a purportedly doctored Will has subjected them to years of tribulations since the death of their patriarch.
They accuse a brother of the deceased of using the Will, along with alleged political connections and influence, to defraud, disinherit them, and misappropriate funds meant for the family.
At the heart of the renewed battle over the estate of Nyeri County’s pioneer Governor Nderitu Gachagua, nine years after he was laid to rest, is a letter calling for careful and extensive scrutiny of the will, which the family says disinherited them.
In their appeal to the President through the Attorney General, the family states that Suzan Nderitu Gachagua, the two-term Mathira Lawmaker’s daughter who was at his bedside before Gachagua’s passing in a hospital in Chelsea, London, reported that the condition of the late Gachagua had deteriorated to the extent that he was unable to see, write, or comprehend any legal document—raising questions about the inconsistency of the will with medical reality, witness accounts, and Gachagua’s physical condition.
“His condition had catastrophically deteriorated to the extent that he was unable to see, let alone write or comprehend any legal document. Thus, the purported will is diametrically inconsistent with medical reality, witness accounts, and the physical condition of Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua at the time,” the letter reads.
In the letter, signed by the late Gachagua’s wife Margaret Nyokabi and her four children—Susan, Mercy, Jason, and Ken—the family emphasizes how a brother of the deceased relied upon the will to disinherit them through intimidation, manipulation, and underhanded methods, including the irregular transfer of assets to defraud the estate.
While questioning the validity of the will, the family appeals to the President to institute an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged forgery of the will and unlawful intermeddling in the estate. They also seek the return of irregularly transferred assets, including Olive Gardens and Vipingo Beach Resort, and protection from intimidation and coercion.
Gachagua, who made his political debut in 2003 and served Mathira Constituency for two terms, died of cancer in 2017 and was buried in Higira Village, Mathira.
Gachagua stands firm and unapologetic, revealing he deliberately pushed Ruto to react as their public clash intensifies.
The immediate family said they had been forced to go public after efforts to resolve the matter quietly failed.
The late James Nderitu Gachagua
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, we, the family of the late Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua, have made the very difficult decision to go public on matters concerning our rightful inheritance,” the statement reads.
The family said it had initially chosen silence “out of respect, patience, and hope that the issues surrounding our late father’s estate would be resolved quietly and justly.” However, they added that the situation had persisted for too long.
“However, the prolonged nature of these challenges has left us with no option but to speak out,” they said.
The appeal to the President has been formally submitted through the Office of the Attorney General. The family expressed hope that the Head of State would review their case and support a resolution.
“We have formally submitted a detailed appeal through the Office of the Attorney General, and we remain hopeful that His Excellency will find time to review it and offer his support in resolving this matter,” the statement says.
The family also acknowledged the President for previously drawing public attention to matters concerning their late father but noted difficulties in accessing him directly.
“We wish to acknowledge and appreciate His Excellency the President for bringing public attention to matters concerning our late father. However, despite our efforts to contact him, we have encountered significant barriers in accessing him directly,” they said.
“It is for this reason that we have now turned to the media, as a means of ensuring that the full scope of our concerns reaches him and the relevant authorities.”
Details contained in their appeal outline claims of alleged interference in the administration of the estate by a close relative. The family alleges that this has led to distress and material loss.
“Since the death of Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua, we have endured years of profound suffering and grave injustice,” the letter states.
The family claims that the relative has used “intimidation, manipulation, and underhand methods” in dealing with the estate. They further allege that there have been irregular transfers of assets and attempts to disinherit the immediate family.
“Through intimidation, manipulation, and underhand methods, the said relative has relentlessly sought to disinherit the immediate family… by procuring irregular transfers of assets, using proxies to defraud the estate, and forcefully acquiring property that rightfully belongs to our family,” the letter reads.
A key issue raised in the appeal concerns a will that has been cited in the succession process. The family has questioned its validity.
“A central concern is the Will purportedly cited and relied upon… which causes our family to express deep concerns about forgery and a cunning scheme to disinherit the lawful beneficiaries,” they said.
They point to the wording on the document, saying it bears the inscription “Draft Last Will and Testament,” which they argue raises questions about its authenticity.
“A ‘draft’ document cannot by any stretch of reason or law, constitute the final will and testament of the deceased,” the letter states.
The family also links the timing of the alleged will to the late politician’s medical condition at the time. According to the appeal, he was seriously ill and unable to engage in such processes.
The letter states that during his final days in hospital, his condition had deteriorated significantly.
“His condition had catastrophically deteriorated to the extent that he was unable to see, let alone write or comprehend any legal document,” the appeal notes.
The family argues that this raises “serious and urgent concerns regarding forgery and fraudulent manipulation” of the succession process.
They further claim that unresolved issues around the estate have left them in financial distress and uncertainty.
“As a result of this interference, numerous critical matters relating to the estate… remain unresolved, leaving our family in prolonged agony, uncertainty and financial distress,” the letter states.
In their appeal, the family is seeking several interventions, including an independent investigation into the handling of the estate.
They are also asking for the return of assets they describe as having been irregularly transferred, and protection from further interference.
“Your Excellency, with humility, our family specifically prays for: institution of an independent and impartial investigation… return of all irregularly transferred assets… and protection of the family from further intimidation,” the letter reads.
Despite the dispute, the family says its intention is not to litigate the matter in the public domain but to seek attention from relevant authorities.
“We have taken a deliberate decision to share a redacted version of the letter… because our intention is not to litigate this matter in the court of public opinion, but rather to ensure that the appropriate authorities are seized of the facts,” the statement says.
They maintain that their appeal is guided by a desire for justice and fairness.
“As a family, our appeal is justice and fairness. We have endured pain, loss, and prolonged uncertainty. Like any other family, we have reached a point where we must tell our story in our own voice.”
The family says it remains open to engagement and hopeful for a resolution.
“We remain open, respectful, and hopeful for a just resolution.”
Gachagua: Late brother’s estate implemented according to will
“If anybody is dissatisfied with what is happening in a succession implementation, you go to court,” he said
Speaking in an interview, Gachagua emphasised that succession matters fall under the jurisdiction of the courts, noting that any concerns about inheritance should be addressed through legal channels.
“The law of succession is handled by courts of law. If anybody is dissatisfied with what is happening in a succession implementation, you go to court,” he said.
He explained that the dispute relates to the estate of his late brother, who passed away in 2017 and left a detailed will specifying how his wealth was to be distributed.
According to Gachagua, the will clearly identified beneficiaries and their respective shares, ensuring that all individuals connected to the deceased were considered.
He said the estate was to be distributed among 21 beneficiaries. The will directed that all properties be sold, debts settled, and the remaining proceeds shared according to specified percentages.
“Some were getting 10 per cent, others 5 per cent, others 2 per cent or 3 per cent, all clearly indicated in the will,” he said.
According to Gachagua, three executors were appointed to oversee the process, including the deceased’s lawyer, a long-time friend, and a family member, with instructions to implement the will as written.
Gachagua said that after the will was read, all beneficiaries confirmed their agreement to its contents.
“The court adopted the will and allowed the executors to go ahead and execute it in accordance with the wishes of the deceased person,” he said.
He added that the process was completed about eight years ago, with properties sold, debts settled, and proceeds distributed directly to beneficiaries’ accounts as per the will.
Gachagua maintained that the succession process was lawful and transparent, stressing that disputes should be addressed through proper legal mechanisms.
He urged that any concerns related to inheritance be resolved through courts rather than public or political platforms.
Meanwhile, the family of the late James Nderitu Gachagua has appealed to the State to intervene over the administration of his estate.
In a media statement dated Friday, March 27, 2026, the immediate family said they had been forced to go public after efforts to resolve the matter privately failed.
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, we, the family of the late Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua, have made the very difficult decision to go public on matters concerning our rightful inheritance,” the statement reads.
And more is on the way in regard to Gachagua’s criminal activities and he has to deal with the reality of his actions emerging as Kenyans watch in dismay. Maybe Kalonzo Musyoka his big partner does not mind these criminal activities by his boss, but Kenyans are going to address Gachagua’s criminal activities to find solutions for his victims.
The Family of The Woman Gachagua Accused of Impregnating And Orchestrating Her Murder Demands an Inquest Into Her Death- Claims There Was a Cover-Up
Fresh details have emerged surrounding the controversial death of Maureen Gathigia Kinyua, with her family now calling for a full inquest into what they believe could be a carefully orchestrated cover-up.
In a letter dated March 19, 2026, addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), lawyers representing her father, James Kinyua Macharia, have challenged the initial conclusion that Maureen died in a road accident.
They argue that witness accounts and available evidence point to possible foul play.
According to the letter, Maureen was allegedly called to the Mataga area by a woman said to be a relative of a key political figure in the Mt Kenya region, where she reportedly stayed until after 6:00 PM.
The same woman is said to have contacted a man believed to be her brother, who then transported Maureen on a motorcycle.
However, the sequence of events that followed has raised serious questions.
The legal team claims the motorcycle allegedly involved showed no visible signs of damage, contradicting the theory of a crash.
Additionally, Maureen reportedly had a hole in her forehead suspected to be a bullet entry—an injury that was allegedly not captured in the postmortem findings.
The letter further alleges that Maureen’s mobile phone went missing, potentially concealing crucial communication that could shed light on her final moments.
In a development that has intensified suspicion, it is claimed that the wife of a senior political figure in the Mt Kenya region arrived at the scene, appeared to confirm something, and later left shortly after.
The family also believes that individuals linked to influential figures may have interfered with the scene and the subsequent handling of the case.
Through their lawyers, the family is now urging the Inspector General of Police to form a special investigative team and open a formal inquest to establish the truth behind Maureen’s death.
