The explosive dispute over the Nderitu Gachagua Estate has entered a new phase after the family of the late former Nyeri Governor formally petitioned President William Ruto, demanding urgent state intervention.
In a detailed letter dated March 23, the family accuses former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to alter a will, seize control of key assets, and disinherit rightful beneficiaries.
They now want a full investigation, recovery of property, and accountability. The claims, which mirror accusations previously raised by President Ruto, have intensified one of Kenya’s most controversial inheritance battles.
Nderitu Gachagua Estate Dispute Escalates As Family Seeks State Intervention
The family of Nderitu Gachagua has taken the extraordinary step of appealing directly to President William Ruto through the Office of the Attorney General, signaling a complete breakdown of internal resolution efforts.
In their petition, they accuse former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of masterminding a long-running scheme to interfere with the estate. They claim he used his position, influence, and access as a close relative and executor to manipulate the management of the estate and take control of valuable assets.
The family alleges that over the years, properties were irregularly transferred, proxies were deployed to execute questionable transactions, and beneficiaries were systematically locked out.
They argue that these actions were not isolated incidents but part of a calculated plan to consolidate wealth and deny the deceased’s widow and children their rightful inheritance.
By escalating the matter to the presidency, the family is effectively asking the state to step in where legal and familial systems have failed.
Alleged Forged Will At The Center Of Nderitu Gachagua Estate Battle
At the core of the dispute lies a will that the family insists was manipulated and cannot be legally upheld.
They accuse Rigathi Gachagua of altering or relying on a questionable document to justify control over the estate. According to the petition, the will itself raises red flags because it reportedly bears the words “Draft Last Will and Testament,” which they say undermines its authenticity.
The family further argues that the circumstances under which the will was executed make it highly suspect. They state that Nderitu Gachagua was critically ill with metastatic pancreatic cancer and bedridden during his final days.
Suzan Kirigo Nderitu, one of his daughters, recalls that while at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, her father was too weak to read, write, or comprehend legal documents.
This account directly contradicts the idea that he could have knowingly signed or approved a valid will, reinforcing claims that the document may have been manipulated to benefit specific individuals.
Claims Of Forced Asset Takeover And Disinheritance Intensify The Row
The family does not stop at the will. They directly accuse Rigathi Gachagua of forcefully taking over estate assets and restructuring ownership to his advantage.
They claim he leveraged his role as executor to shift control of companies and properties linked to the estate, including interests associated with entities such as Olive Garden Realtors.
Among the contested assets are a well-known garden resort and a beach resort, which the family says were irregularly acquired and remain under his control.
They argue that these actions left the widow and children effectively disinherited, with some struggling financially despite the estate’s significant value.
These allegations echo those raised during Rigathi Gachagua’s 2024 impeachment proceedings, where lawmakers accused him of coercing his late brother into signing a manipulated will while on his deathbed in London.
During that process, President William Ruto also publicly accused his then-deputy of taking advantage of his brother’s illness to alter the will and benefit from the estate, adding political weight to the family’s current claims.
Defense And Political Fallout Surrounding Nderitu Gachagua Estate Claims
Rigathi Gachagua and his allies have consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that every transaction involving the estate followed legal procedures.
They argue that property dealings were conducted on a “willing buyer, willing seller” basis and reject claims of coercion, fraud, or manipulation.
In an effort to counter the accusations, his side previously released the will to the public, insisting it reflects the true wishes of the late governor.
They have also framed the controversy as politically motivated, suggesting that the allegations aim to damage reputations rather than seek justice.
Despite this defense, the renewed petition to President Ruto raises the stakes significantly. It places the dispute squarely in the hands of the state and increases pressure for an independent investigation.
