Late Billionaire's Wife, Children Face Arrest Over Kshs 4B Property

File image of Nginyo Kariuki
The late politician and TNA founder Nginyo Kariuki
Daily Nation

The widow of the late billionaire Lawrence Nginyo Kariuki is facing arrest alongside his six children over a fallout in the management of the Ksh4 billion estate.

A report by Daily Nation on Wednesday, July 28, indicated that the seven are on the radar after they were accused of meddling in the estate before they were granted permission to run it.

They were accused of withdrawing Ksh70 million from one of the bank accounts before the case was heard and determined.

In March 2020, they reportedly withdrew Ksh1.1 million but argued that the money had been used to settle the estate's debt and plan for his funeral.

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi with veteran politician Lawrence Nginyo Kariuki at his residence in Limuru, Kiambu County on May 21, 2019
Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi with veteran politician Lawrence Nginyo Kariuki at his residence in Limuru, Kiambu County on May 21, 2019

After hearing the case, Justice Stella Mutuku noted that the family was now at risk over the withdrawal since the will was still contested.

"Without Authority to support their actions, I am constrained to make a finding that the acts by the executors or respondents in dealing with the estate as they did, amounts to intermeddling in the estate of the deceased," ruled the judge.

Kariuki, who fought for multiparty democracy alongside other second liberation heroes, passed away at the Aga Khan University Hospital on the morning of Monday, February 24.

He is survived by his widow Margaret Wangari Nginyo and six children, Jane Alice, Wambui Kiragu, Silas Macharia Kariuki, Brenda Nyambura, Alex Ndoria and Austine Wachira.

In May 2020, the children turned against each other in the fight to control his Ksh4 billion estate

The billionaire had left a will to his widow, Margaret Wangari, the mother of James Kariuki and Jane Wambui. 

Later on, James, the eldest son, moved to court seeking to be allowed to run the estate. He claimed that his mother and other siblings transferred over Ksh71 million to their accounts without his consent.

Kariuki was the founding Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA) party which President Uhuru Kenyatta used in his successful bid for the Presidency in 2013.

A court Gavel.
A court Gavel.
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