ESTATE OF NDERITU GACHAGUA DISMISSES DISINHERITANCE CLAIMS, DETAILS MULTI-BILLION WEALTH DISTRIBUTION.
BY NJOKI KARANJA
Nairobi, April 8, 2026.
The estate of former Nyeri Governor James Nderitu Gachagua has issued a detailed public statement dismissing claims of disinheritance and mismanagement, affirming that all beneficiaries received their rightful shares in strict accordance with the deceased’s will.
In the statement released through Musyimi and Company Advocates, the Executors—among them former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—said they were compelled to respond due to what they described as widespread misinformation in both mainstream and social media regarding the administration of the estate.
The Executors clarified that the estate, valued at billions of shillings, was distributed to 23 beneficiaries after settling liabilities amounting to KSh 1.07 billion owed to banks and other creditors. They emphasized that no beneficiary was disinherited and that all distributions adhered strictly to the terms outlined in the late Gachagua’s will.
“The magnitude of inaccurate and misleading information has constrained the Executors to come out and clear the air,” the statement read, noting that estate matters are typically handled through court filings and private engagement with beneficiaries.
According to the Executors, a grant of probate was issued by the High Court in July 2017 and confirmed in March 2018, giving them legal authority to administer the estate. Key properties—including residences in Karen, Nyeri, and Lang’ata—were transferred to designated beneficiaries, who now occupy them.
To settle debts, several high-value assets such as Kiangwachi and Queensgate were sold, alongside Olive Gardens and Vipingo Beach Resort in 2023. Following these transactions, a net surplus of over KSh 648 million was distributed among beneficiaries as stipulated in the will.
The Executors further revealed that beneficiaries were actively involved in the disposal of assets, including the selection of agents and approval of private treaty sales conducted between 2018 and 2023. Additional financial benefits included KSh 53 million saved through cost efficiencies and KSh 92 million disbursed for maintenance and support to dependants during the administration period.
Cash distributions ranged between one and ten percent per beneficiary, cumulatively amounting to hundreds of millions of shillings. Meanwhile, other assets—including 70 apartments in Nairobi valued at KSh 696 million and parcels of land in Nyeri—were transferred based on mutual agreements among beneficiaries.
The late Gachagua, who passed away in a London hospital in February 2017, had stipulated in his will that most of his assets be sold and proceeds distributed after clearing debts. He also included a clause disinheriting any beneficiary who challenged the will—a provision the Executors say helped avert prolonged disputes.
They maintained that all beneficiaries consented to the confirmation of the grant and that no legal challenges have been filed against the will. In instances where concerns were raised, the High Court upheld the Executors’ diligence in managing the estate.
Reaffirming their fiduciary duty, the Executors stated they will submit final accounts to the High Court upon completion of the administration process, underscoring their commitment to transparency and adherence to the law.
“The Executors have diligently and faithfully undertaken their duties to ensure the Estate is administered lawfully in accordance with the wishes of the deceased,” the statement concluded.
