The announcement by Wamumbi has intensified an already heated public debate surrounding the estate of the late Nyeri governor, whose family has accused the former Deputy President of unfairly disinheriting some beneficiaries from the vast properties he left behind.
Speaking publicly about the matter, Wamumbi said members of the family reached out to him directly, asking for assistance to help them present their grievances to the Head of State.
According to the legislator, the family wants the president to intervene and ensure justice is served in what they describe as a long-standing dispute over the management and distribution of the late governor’s estate.
“The family of the late Nderitu Gachagua reached out to me and asked for assistance to go to State House,” Wamumbi said.
He added that he had agreed to facilitate the meeting and would personally accompany them to present their concerns to President Ruto.
The MP insisted that the family deserves an opportunity to explain their grievances directly to the president, especially after claims that some of the late governor’s assets were allegedly taken away from rightful beneficiaries.
The controversy gained national attention after President Ruto publicly acknowledged receiving a letter from members of the late governor’s family requesting government intervention.
Speaking during a public event in Naivasha on Sunday, the president promised to look into the matter and ensure that justice is done.
Ruto said properties belonging to widows and orphans must be protected, adding that no one should take advantage of vulnerable family members.
“You can insult me as much as you want, but I want to tell you that you must return properties belonging to widows and orphans,” the president declared.
He specifically mentioned a hotel located in Nairobi and a house in Kilifi that the family claims were taken from the rightful heirs.
“You must return the hotel in Nairobi and the house in Kilifi to those who own them. The Bible says the cry of orphans and widows reaches the Lord,” Ruto added.
His remarks marked the first time he publicly addressed the dispute since receiving the family’s appeal.
Family raises concerns over will
In the letter sent to the president, members of the late governor’s family raised serious allegations regarding the handling of the estate.
They asked the government to investigate claims of fraud, forgery, and unlawful interference in the management of the properties left behind by the former Nyeri governor.
According to the family, there are concerns surrounding the authenticity of a will that has been used to distribute the estate.
The letter alleges that the document may have been manipulated to disinherit some beneficiaries.
Part of the letter stated that the will was executed at a time when the late governor was critically ill and therefore may not accurately reflect his true intentions.
The family further claimed that a close relative orchestrated schemes to control the estate and deny other family members their rightful inheritance.
They urged the president to intervene and ensure the matter is thoroughly investigated.
Gachagua dismisses allegations
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly rejected the accusations, insisting that the succession process was conducted legally and transparently.
Speaking earlier about the matter, Gachagua argued that the dispute had already been settled in court years ago.
According to him, the will was presented before a judge in 2018 and all beneficiaries agreed to its contents at the time.
He maintained that the distribution of the estate followed the wishes of his late brother and was sanctioned by the court.
“The succession law says once a will has been read to the beneficiaries, you go to court. We went to court, and before the judge in 2018, all of us agreed to the content of the will,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President also accused political rivals of trying to revive the issue for political reasons.
The dispute has now taken on a political dimension as tensions continue to rise between President Ruto and his former deputy.
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