This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Published on October 28, 2019, in The Star Newspaper, Maina Kageni's story highlights the importance of estate planning in avoiding succession battles.
Speaking on Classic 105, Maina revealed that his father's will was the key to his family's smooth transition after his passing.
"My dad died when I was two years old. Luckily for him, he left behind a will and after his death, it was entrusted to trustees," Maina said.
He explained that immediately he turned 21, the properties were transferred to him, saving his family from the anguish of succession battles.
However, Maina couldn't help but point out that his father should have left his properties to his mother rather than to trustees.
"My dad was guilty. Why did he not leave everything to my mother?" he asked.
His co-host Mwalimu King'ang'i shared a similar experience, but with a different outcome. Unlike Maina, Mwalimu King'ang'i only inherited his mother from his father.
"The only thing my dad left me was my mum. You finish school and you realise that responsibilities are waiting for you. The minute you lower your loved one's body into his/her grave, you immediately start thinking of all the debts one has to pay," he said.
Mwalimu King'ang'i emphasized the need for careful handling of succession battles, citing the examples of the Michukis, Kariukis, and Karumes.
