The death of High Court judge David Majanja in 2024 has torn his family apart in a bitter fight over money, power, and legacy. What should have been a smooth transfer of wealth has instead become a courtroom battle that pits siblings against each other and leaves aging parents struggling to survive.
At the center of the storm sits an unsigned Sh22 million, a contested will, and deep mistrust among relatives. Lawyers argue, judges hesitate, and the family fractures further each passing month. Justice Majanja built a reputation for fairness in court, yet his own estate now fuels one of the ugliest succession wars in recent memory.
Inside the Fight for Justice Majanja’s Estate
Justice Majanja died at the height of his career, respected across Kenya’s legal circles. He left behind no spouse and no children, but he left behind money, assets, and a will that immediately split his family into rival camps.
According to his father, the late judge deliberately favored his youngest brother. The will reportedly directed bank balances, shares, and posthumous benefits, including insurance payouts, to him. To the father, this was not unfair. He insists it simply reflected David’s lifelong bond with his younger sibling.
But other family members see it differently. One sister moved to court, arguing that paying everything to one brother would erase the rights of other beneficiaries. She claims the will sidelines the rest of the family and concentrates too much power in one person’s hands.
That legal challenge froze the money. The High Court ordered that the Sh22 million remain locked in accounts until judges verify the will and complete formal succession proceedings. What was meant to protect fairness now traps the family in a slow and painful legal maze.
Behind the legal language lies raw emotion. Brothers barely speak. Sisters communicate through lawyers. Family gatherings have collapsed into silent standoffs. Neighbors describe a once-close household now broken by suspicion.
Investigations into the estate reveal more tension. Some relatives question whether the will truly reflects Justice Majanja’s final wishes. Others insist it is authentic but misinterpreted. Each side hires lawyers, files affidavits, and trades accusations that deepen the rift.
Meanwhile, the judiciary faces pressure to move faster. Legal experts say succession cases can drag on for years if families fight aggressively. Every delay keeps the money frozen and the conflict alive.
How the Will Sparked the Battle
The will became the flashpoint of the entire dispute. When it surfaced after Majanja’s death, it did not bring peace. It ignited war.
His father told the court that David loved his youngest brother deeply. He said the judge trusted him to manage finances responsibly and care for the parents. To him, the will made sense and matched his son’s character.
But other siblings rejected that narrative. They argue that love should not erase legal equality. In their filings, they claim the youngest brother would gain too much control while they receive little or nothing.
Legal analysts watching the case note that Kenya’s Law of Succession Act does allow a deceased person to distribute property through a valid will. However, courts must still confirm that the document meets legal standards and that it was made freely.
Until judges complete that process, nobody can touch the money. That legal pause has turned frustration into anger and anger into open hostility.
Court records show repeated mentions of mistrust. Some siblings accuse others of manipulating documents. Others counter that certain relatives only appeared after realizing money was involved.
What began as a legal disagreement has now become a public family feud, splashed across media headlines and social platforms.
Parents Caught in the Crossfire
While siblings battle in court, Justice Majanja’s parents suffer the most. Both are elderly and reportedly ill. They depended on their son for medical bills, food, and daily care.
Since his death, that support has vanished. With estate funds locked, the parents say they struggle to afford treatment. They describe sleepless nights, unpaid hospital bills, and constant stress.
The father told journalists that he personally approached the judiciary seeking partial release of funds. Instead of help, he says he received delays and bureaucratic runarounds. Eventually, he hired lawyers just to be heard.
He insists that David intended his youngest brother to manage the estate precisely so the parents would never lack support. To him, the current stalemate betrays that intention.
Family members have also tried to request interim payouts, but courts have postponed decisions repeatedly. Each postponement deepens the parents’ hardship.
In desperation, the couple wrote directly to the Chief Justice. In their letter, they asked for urgency and compassion. They argued that justice delayed now feels like justice denied.
Legal observers say the case highlights a broader problem in Kenya. Succession disputes often drag on, leaving vulnerable dependents without resources while lawyers debate technicalities.
Despite public sympathy, judges maintain that they must follow strict procedures. They insist that releasing money before validating the will could create even bigger legal problems.
Still, critics argue that courts could issue temporary support orders to protect elderly parents while the main case proceeds.
For now, the family remains divided. Lawyers prepare for more hearings. Judges review more documents. The Sh22 million stays frozen.
What began as a respected judge’s legacy has turned into a painful lesson about family, money, and the law. Justice Majanja spent his life settling disputes. Ironically, his own estate now fuels one he cannot resolve.
Unless the court acts swiftly, the battle over Justice Majanja’s Estate may leave lasting scars far deeper than any legal ruling can heal.
