Moi family agrees on estate sharing, ending years of uncertainty

The family of former President Daniel Moi has reached an agreement to distribute properties listed in his Will, including prime land in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties, marking a major step forward in the long-running succession process.

Appearing before High Court Judge Hillary Chemitei, Moi’s children and grandchildren agreed to share out the listed land parcels and money held in two undisclosed bank accounts.

Each of Moi’s five sons will receive an equal 20% share of the specified assets.

The Will, which was written on November 15, 2005, and amended on March 30, 2010, directed that these properties be shared equally and eventually transferred to their children.

Among those present during the confirmation of the grant were Moi’s sons—former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, former Rongai MP Raymond Moi, Philip Moi—and daughter Doris Moi.

The widows of Moi’s late firstborn son Jonathan, Beatrice and Faith, as well as several grandchildren, also attended.

The distribution also includes Sh100 million each for Moi’s daughters—Jenifer Chemutai, Doris Chepkorir, and the late June Chebet.

Justice Chemitei instructed the deputy registrar to publish a notice in the Kenya Gazette to allow any objections from interested parties.

The case will be mentioned again on October 15 for further directions and for administrators to provide a list of properties not included in the current Will.

The confirmation is a relief for beneficiaries of Jonathan Moi’s estate, who have been struggling to access their share and were facing serious difficulties, including threats of jail and having to fundraise for medical treatment.

Jonathan’s estate is estimated at Sh30 million, comprising land in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, shares in Tiro Holdings Limited and Nakuru Oil Mills.

However, his children are also eyeing the larger family estate through their late father’s share.

While the Will identifies 2,300 acres in Kabarak, and land in Moi’s Bridge and Nairobi, there are other vast assets not covered in this succession matter.

These will be handled separately in another case. Jonathan’s son, Fredrick Kibichii, has previously claimed that the Will did not list all the former president’s properties, which he estimated at Sh300 billion.

Moi had diverse business interests across land, education, hospitality, aviation, banking, real estate, media, agriculture, security, manufacturing, and transport.

The family owns several well-known educational institutions including Kabarak University, Sunshine Schools, Moi Educational Centre and Sacho High School.

In agriculture, they are linked to Sasine Group, Kiptagich Tea Estate, Chemusian Company, Sian Roses, and Fresh Produce Ltd.

Senior counsel Zehrabanu Janmohamed, appointed by Moi as the executrix and trustee of the Will, is overseeing the implementation.

The Will also stated that once any of his sons pass away, their children would inherit the shares initially allocated to their fathers.