Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta’s brother-in-law, Udi Gecaga was awarded Ksh55 million by the High Court after a protracted battle with his stepmother, Margaret Gacigi.
Judge Alfred Mabeya directed that the funds be handed over to Udi’s lawyers in seven days. The Ksh55 million were locked in a joint interest account since June 2015 due to the case that dragged in court for years.
Justice Mabeya, while issuing the orders, dismissed the application filed by Gacigi which sought the court to prevent the release of the funds- on grounds that she was entitled to a piece of the money.
Gacigi also argued that she would lose out on the funds as she claimed to have no other source of income.
The widow had claimed Udi illegally forged his signature in the transfer of 3.28 million shares held by her late husband, Bethuel Gecaga, to another company in 2012.
Gacigi also sought a declaration from the court that the alleged transfer was illegal as the property belonged to her late husband.
“What this court deciphers is that Gacigi is determined to avoid the contractual terms of the consent. It is unsettling that the Gacigi who brought the suit before the commercial court and dragged the defendants into litigation, is the same one who now contends that the issue can only be determined in the succession court,” Judge Mabeya stated.
The protracted court battle has dragged in court over the years, with the dispute pitting one of the wealthiest families in the country.
In May 2021, Udi had filed a suit seeking to evict Gacigi from a disputed Muthaiga home- as he demanded Ksh9 million rent, accruing from the time his father- Bethuel died.
The suit was, however, challenged by Gacigi who claimed that the transfer of documents was illegal.
Past reports indicated that Bethuel married Margaret in August 2007 though she noted that they had been living together since 1993.
Udi was married to Uhuru’s elder sister Jeni Wambui. His children, Nana and Jomo serve as chief executive of Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and Uhuru’s personal assistant respectively.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
