Moi Family Reaches Agreement to Share Properties After Lengthy Dispute

A significant milestone has been reached in the protracted succession battle over the estate of Kenya's second President, Daniel arap Moi, as his heirs have reached an agreement on the distribution of key assets outlined in his Will. 

The consensus, formalised before High Court Judge Hillary Chemitei, establishes a framework for dividing land holdings in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties, along with undisclosed sums held in two bank accounts. This development marks a pivotal step in resolving the disposition of Moi's substantial wealth, which has been subject to legal disputes and internal family disagreements.

Present at the court session were Moi's sons: former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, former Rongai MP Raymond Moi, Philip Moi, and daughter Doris Moi, as well as the widows of his late firstborn son Jonathan ,Beatrice and Faith, and several grandchildren. Justice Chemitei directed the deputy registrar to publish an official notice in the Kenya Gazette to invite any objections from other potential claimants or interested parties. This procedural step is crucial in finalizing the estate's distribution, allowing for potential legal challenges to be addressed before the division is executed.

Under the terms of the agreement, each of Moi's five sons is set to receive equal shares of the assets covered by the Will. These properties include extensive land holdings, most notably 2,300 acres in Kabarak, Nakuru County, additional parcels in Moi's Bridge, Uasin Gishu County, and property in Nairobi. The allocation strictly adheres to Moi's instructions that ancestral land be divided equally among his sons, who would eventually transfer portions to their own children.

Moi's daughters, Jenifer Chemutai, Doris Chepkorir, and the late June Chebet, were each allocated Sh100 million, a separate financial arrangement from the land distributions. The administration of the estate is overseen by senior counsel Zehrabanu Janmohamed, whom Moi had appointed as the executrix and trustee of his Will.

While this agreement resolves a significant portion of the estate dispute, questions persist regarding properties and business interests not explicitly mentioned in the Will. Fredrick Kibichii, Moi's grandson, has previously argued that the Will does not account for all the wealth accumulated by the former President, estimating the total value of Moi's assets at potentially Sh300 billion, spanning real estate, transport, banking, education, media, and agriculture.

The Moi family maintains ownership of prominent institutions, including Sunshine Schools and Moi Educational Centre in Nairobi, Kabarak University and Kabarak High School in Nakuru, and Sacho High School in Baringo County. The family also has interests in agribusiness, controlling companies such as Sasine Group, Fresh Produce Ltd, Chemusian Company, Sian Roses, and Kiptagich Tea Estate. 

For the beneficiaries of Jonathan Moi's estate, this agreement marks a crucial turning point. Some family members have faced financial challenges, including legal threats and fundraising efforts to cover medical expenses. Jonathan's estate, estimated at Sh30 million, remains a separate matter, with his children seeking a portion of their grandfather's larger wealth.