Clint Kiprono Moi, the son of the late Jonathan Moi, has asked the High Court to order DNA tests for 19 individuals listed as beneficiaries of his father’s estate. The succession dispute, already entangled in family politics and legal delays, now faces a critical turning point.
Kiprono insists that only biological children of Jonathan Moi should inherit the estate. The case highlights the growing tension within the Moi family as questions swirl over the legitimacy of heirs and the future of a multimillion-shilling inheritance.
Jonathan Moi’s Son Moves to Challenge Mediation Outcome
Clint Kiprono Moi has taken a bold step to challenge a High Court-endorsed mediation report that listed 19 beneficiaries from four households. He claims the report is flawed and demands DNA verification before any inheritance is distributed.
In court papers, Kiprono argues that the list of beneficiaries was produced through a process he calls unfair. He says decisions were made by a vote, not through consensus, and he was not even present when the agreements were made.
According to him, some people listed as children of Jonathan Moi may not be biologically related to the late son of former President Daniel arap Moi.
His request is simple but loaded with implications: halt any claims on Jonathan Moi’s estate until DNA tests prove the true heirs. If granted, the tests would determine who among the 19 listed individuals truly share blood with the late Jonathan Kipkemboi Moi.
Kiprono insists that this is not about malice or exclusion but fairness. He told the court that the estate, which includes a share of his grandfather’s wealth, should go only to those who are directly descended from Jonathan. His position echoes the late President Moi’s will, which reportedly stated that his property should remain within his bloodline.
Lawyers Clash in Court Over Urgency and Legitimacy
The matter was brought before Justice Eric Ogola on Thursday, where legal teams representing different parties clashed.
Kiprono’s legal team pressed for the DNA order, framing it as a necessary step to ensure justice. They warned that allowing unverified individuals to claim a stake would dilute the estate and violate the intentions of the Moi family patriarchs.
But lawyer Duncan Okatch, representing Jonathan Moi’s third wife and her children, strongly opposed the request. He stressed the urgency of accessing estate funds, especially for a sick minor suffering from Stage 2 cancer.
“Because of this stalemate, we are unable to move. Adopted or not adopted, they are all children of the deceased,” Okatch told the court. He argued that the process of distribution was already underway and that halting it now would harm those in urgent need.
He reminded the court that 20% of the late President Moi’s estate was already allocated to Jonathan Moi’s beneficiaries, meaning the stakes were high. “The issue of DNA should be done to deal with the issue, but we must not allow delays to cause suffering,” he added.
What This Means for the Moi Legacy
The fight over Jonathan Moi’s estate is about more than money. It touches the core of family, legacy, and trust in succession systems. If the court agrees with Kiprono’s plea, the case could set a new standard in Kenya for how large estates with multiple claimants are handled.
The Moi family, once seen as a pillar of unity and political power, is now facing public scrutiny over its internal disputes. The case reveals deep rifts and raises uncomfortable questions about relationships and legitimacy. DNA testing, often used in criminal cases or paternity battles, may now determine the fate of one of Kenya’s most recognized political families.
For Kenyans watching from the sidelines, the case offers a rare look inside the private world of the Moi dynasty. It’s a reminder that even powerful families are not immune to the challenges of succession and that wealth often brings as much strife as it does security.
Justice Ogola is expected to issue a ruling on June 26, 2025. Until then, the fate of the estate—and the status of the 19 alleged beneficiaries—remains in legal limbo.
If Kiprono’s request is granted, the results could exclude some from inheritance, reshaping the distribution entirely. If denied, the estate will move forward under the current mediation framework, despite Kiprono’s objections.
For now, the nation watches closely as the court prepares to decide on a case that could define Jonathan Moi’s legacy and the future of his children—biological or not.
