Former Nyeri Governor James Nderitu Gachagua
NAIROBI, April 8, 2026 — The estate of former Nyeri Governor James Nderitu Gachagua has moved to counter claims of disinheritance and asset mismanagement, insisting all beneficiaries received their rightful share in line with the deceased’s will.
In a detailed statement, the Executors said the estate, valued at billions of shillings, was distributed to 23 beneficiaries after settling all liabilities. They emphasized that no beneficiary was disinherited, dismissing reports circulating in sections of the media.
The Executors, among them former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said they were compelled to address what they described as misleading and prejudicial public discourse surrounding the estate.
They noted that while they preferred to handle such matters through court processes and direct engagement with beneficiaries, the spread of inaccurate information forced them to clarify the situation publicly. The statement was issued through Musyimi and Company Advocates, who have represented the estate since 2017.
According to the Executors, beneficiaries were actively involved throughout the administration process. They said dependants received support for school fees, maintenance, and living expenses, while all estate income and expenditures were properly accounted for.
The estate obtained a grant of probate from the High Court in July 2017, later confirmed in March 2018. This allowed the Executors to collect assets, settle debts, and distribute the remaining wealth as outlined in the will.
Key properties, including homes in Karen, Nyeri, and Lang’ata, as well as ancestral land, were transferred to designated beneficiaries in strict adherence to the will. The Executors said all recipients now own and occupy their respective properties.
They further revealed that liabilities amounting to KSh1.07 billion were cleared through the sale of major assets such as Kiangwachi and Queensgate. Additional properties, including Olive Gardens and Vipingo Beach Resort, were sold in 2023. After settling debts, a net surplus of over KSh648 million was distributed among beneficiaries.
The late Gachagua, who died in a London hospital in February 2017, had directed in his will that most of his assets be sold and proceeds shared among his beneficiaries, including his mother, two wives, and six children.
The will also stipulated that any beneficiary who challenged it would be automatically disinherited. However, the Executors said no such legal challenges have been filed, and all beneficiaries consented to the confirmation of the grant.
They maintained that all specific bequests and cash distributions were executed according to the will, with beneficiaries receiving between one and ten percent shares.
The Executors added that beneficiaries were involved in the sale of assets, including the selection of agents and approval of transactions. They cited several completed sales between 2018 and 2023, noting that the process generated additional savings that benefited beneficiaries.
Some assets, including 70 apartments in Nairobi and land in Lusoi, Nyeri, were transferred directly to beneficiaries following mutual agreements.
The Executors reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling their fiduciary duties, stating that final estate accounts will be submitted to the High Court upon completion of the administration process. They insisted that the estate has been managed diligently, transparently, and in full accordance with the wishes of the deceased.
