Kanu-era politician's children fight over Sh800 million estate

The late Kanu-era politician William Morogo’s children are embroiled in a succession case over his Sh800 million estate, which consists of prime agricultural land along the Eldoret-Kitale highway in Soy sub county.

The succession case, which has been pending in court since 2001, involves Morogo's eldest daughter, Linda Chelimo, against her siblings.

The siblings are seeking a court order to revoke or annul the grant that appointed Chelimo as the estate's administrator.

Morogo was a prominent large-scale farmer, and his wife Ruth passed away more than two decades ago, leaving behind five children, but one has since died.

The late politician also owned movable and immovable assets in Eldoret City and the neighboring Trans Nzoia County.

Appearing before Justice Reuben Nyakundi at the High Court in Eldoret, Chelimo alleged that her siblings sold off their inheritance and squandered the proceeds even before the succession matter was resolved.

She claimed that they each received 137 acres of agricultural land from their father's estate, 20 cattle and 15 sheep during a ceremony overseen by their uncles and the Nandi Council of Elders.

Chelimo told the court that, apart from her brother Calvin Kiptoo, the other siblings—Stella Chepchumba, Michelle Chebet, and Joanne Cherotich— allegedly chose to sell their share of the inheritance.

She said that Kiptoo inherited 82 acres of ancestral land in Ngenyilel, Turbo Sub County, as well as the homestead where their father lived in Soy Sub County.

"The 137 acres of land, 20 cattle, and 15 sheep that I inherited from my late father are still intact," she told the judge. “My sisters have sold their inheritance, and there is nothing left to show for it." Chelimo said.

Chelimo invited the judge to visit the property to witness firsthand how her sisters allegedly sold their inherited land to third parties.

"The truth is that my sisters sold their inheritance to outsiders who obtained titles through fraudulent means. As the estate administrator, I did not consent to this process, which is illegal," she argued.

She contended that her strict management of the estate had angered her sisters, who now want her removed as the administrator.

Chebet and Chepchumba, have accused Chelimo of allegedly disinheriting them from their father's estate and want the court to revoke the grant made in her favor on the grounds that it was obtained without their consent or knowledge.

"The certificate of confirmation of grant issued in favor of our sister was obtained without our consent, and that is why we are asking this court to revoke it," they said in their court documents.

They also accused Chelimo of preventing them from accessing their late father's homestead in Soy Sub County without adequate justification.

In response, Chelimo told the court that she was given the responsibility to manage their father's estate in a meeting attended by her siblings and they did not raise any objections.

She noted that their father's homestead was designated for Kiptoo and criticised her sisters for claiming it after selling their inheritance.

Chelimo asserted that her siblings actions are intended to undermine and defame her in an effort to remove her as the estate's manager.

The court allowed Chelimo to present new evidence against her siblings.

In the application granted by the court, Chelimo claims to possess an audio recording of a conversation with Chebet, who allegedly confessed that her earlier testimonies in court, along with those of Chepchumba, were falsehoods.

Chelimo reported Chebet's admission of collusion to deceive the court on her administrator role and the estate's distribution to the Eldoret Police Station, where investigations are ongoing.

She submitted a transcribed version of the audio recording.

"I find that the interests of justice would be best served by granting leave for the applicants to present additional evidence, subject to strict conditions that ensure the respondents have a full opportunity to challenge its authenticity, legality, and admissibility," stated the judge.

"Leave is granted for the Supplementary Affidavit sworn on March 7, 2025, containing the audio recording, its transcription, and the certificate."

Justice Nyakundi adjourned the hearing to May 26.