Court reopens British tycoon's Sh74m succession case

 

The Environment and Land Court has reopened the dispute over the control of the estate of late British tycoon Richard Ingram, estimated to be worth Sh74 million.

Justice Anthony Ombwayo allowed former servants of the late tycoon to defend their possession of part of the 100-acre estate.

On Wednesday, Justice Ombwayo ruled that seven of the former employees will take the stand and give evidence over possession of the land.

The seven include John Akoth, Anne Wangare, James Mburu, Beatrice Mburu, Margaret Wanjiru, Eunice Cherotich and James Njogu.

“The application by the seven is allowed. They will each give oral evidence before the land case can be determined,” ruled Ombwayo.

The Judge said that the seven had the right to be heard individually after they claimed ownership of the property under adverse possession.

Adverse possession allows individuals to own private property after occupying it uninterrupted for over 12 years, with the knowledge of the owner.

“I do find it prudent that each of the seven prove their stake on the property. Although they were part of a group, they each claimed possession individually,” ruled Ombwayo.

The servants sued Sarah Joslyn, a former secretary to Ingram.

Joslyn was on October 18, 2021, declared the sole beneficiary of Ingram’s estate and was issued with grant letters of administration.

However, the seven moved to court and challenged the decision. They sought orders to be allowed to own part of the land.

According to the seven, Ingram allocated them the land and allowed them to occupy it. Joslyn argued that reopening the case would be unfair to her and the estate.

Ingram migrated to Kenya in the 1950s. He died a bachelor in 2014 aged 75 years. The former workers and business partners ganged up against Joslyn.

She produced a disputed will in 2015 which showed that Ingram had named her the executor and beneficiary of the estate.

The succession case which involved Joslyn and at least 20 employees was closed by Justice Samwel Mohochi in February 2024.