Storm Over Ex-CS's Billions as Widow, Alleged Step Daughters Lock Horns in Fierce Inheritance Battle

A fierce inheritance battle is raging on in the courts as the widow of former minister and Githunguri Member of Parliament Arthur Kinyanjui Magugu fights with her alleged stepdaughters over the late politician’s estate, including prime land in Nairobi’s central business district.

Two women, Jacquiline Njambi Magugu and Evan Wanjiru, have moved to court seeking orders to stop the sale, transfer or development of a parcel of land on Kenyatta Avenue where the famous Simmers Restaurant once stood.

They claim the land is part of Magugu’s estate and say excavation and construction activities are ongoing without their knowledge or consent.

The two women say they are biological daughters of the late Magugu, who died on September 15, 2012, after a long illness.

Magugu served as a Cabinet minister in several dockets under former President Daniel arap Moi, including Finance, Health, Transport and Communications, and Commerce.

Court records show that in 2015, Jacquiline and Evan challenged a grant issued to Magugu’s widow, Margaret Wairimu Magugu, arguing that they had been left out as beneficiaries.

When the widow obtained the grant in June 2015, she listed herself and her children, Gicho Kinyanjui Magugu and Mariam Susan Njambi Magugu, as the only beneficiaries.

In a fresh application, Jacquiline has raised alarm over developments on the Kenyatta Avenue plot. She said the land is partly owned by Nilestar Holdings Limited, in which Magugu’s estate holds a 42 per cent stake.

She claims company records show the shares may have been irregularly transferred to a man unknown to the family.

The succession case is part-heard and set for mention on April 27, as the women push for revocation of the grant and preservation of the estate’s assets.