Inside two-page Kubai will, estranged wives and burial wishes

A two-page handwritten will was the reason former freedom fighter Fredrick Kubai's family has battled in courts for 28 years.

The heated succession case pitted Kubai’s children and his wife Christina Gakuhi.

Kubai’s will was written in small case letters on one side, while the back side, where he details how he parted with his four wives, is inscribed in capital letters as if he were asserting something.

The will was dated January 19, 1991.  

According to the document, Kubai wanted to be buried within 36 hours of his death. He left his estate to Gakuhi and gave her powers to execute the will.

She was also to oversee his interment and ensure that the burial would only be conducted by a few family members.

Despite being a politician, the will reads that he wanted the cheapest of the coffins, made from off-cut timber.

“No harambee collection for the burial expense, no expensive coffin but even of the cheapest off-cut timber male shift,” Kubai directed.

At his funeral, he said, there would be no speeches, no feast, no one would take alcohol or sing and his coffin and grave would not be draped in flowers.

 The deceased led a polygamous life. He had four wives who he allegedly parted with before his heart settled for Gakuhi. His first love was Sofia Muthoni and they parted ways in 1964, a year when Kenya was declared a republic.

Muthoni had three sons with him.

“I built her three flat houses in Lunga Lunga Nakuru. I gave each son five acres of land,” the will reads.

The second was Rebecca Wangechi who is said to have left in 1971.

“She ran away leaving me with two sons and a daughter and I educated them to Form Ffour. I gave each of the sons and daughters five acres of land and education,” he wrote.

The third was Rose Ann Grace who is said to have left in 1975, leaving again three daughters and a son. They also got five acres each and education.

Lucy Mwangi was fourth and married in 1977.  Kubai said she left in 1979. He added that she had two sons and a daughter from another marriage and she got another son with Kubai.  The will reads that Lucy’s parents refused to accept Kubai’s dowry.

She is also claimed to have sold her children’s inheritance which is not detailed in the will.

“Whatever I gave to her four children, she sold and ate the money,” the will continued to read.