Granny, niece battle for their husband's property

A widow has returned to the High Court in Nakuru seeking orders to control a borehole business belonging to her husband the late Joseph Leitmann, a German tycoon.

Susan Nyambura, who is battling her niece Lucy Wanjiku, who was also her co-wife, wants the court to also order that she be allowed to occupy one of the houses forming part of the estate valued at over Sh100 million.

On Monday, the 80-year-old told the court that despite a ruling on October 12, 2023, that the estate be shared equally among the two, Wanjiku has been frustrating her. “It is preposterous that despite the fact that she is not in Kenya, Wanjiku has been disallowing Nyambura from running the borehole business and occupying one of the houses,” said her lawyer Judith Kamoing.

According to her, Nyambura is still living in the servants’ quarters despite the fact that there are two big houses in the compound.

Further, the lawyer told Justice Julius Nangea that Wanjiku has given the houses to her relatives.

“There are four beneficiaries who include Nyambura, Wanjiku and Wanjiku’s children. Nyambura is the only one in Kenya while the rest have been in the US for more than 23 years,” she said.

She submitted that Nyambura was frail and has no way of earning a living and support a minor she adopted. “She has been left to borrow from neighbours, who believe she is rich having inherited half of the estate,” said the lawyer.

But Wanjiku’s lawyer asked for more time, saying the widow had not signed documents necessary to implement the distribution since she is abroad.

Ukingoni Farm Ltd, which contests part of the estate, wants to stop the distribution of the property until their appeal is determined.

The court directed the parties to file submissions in seven days before a ruling on November 18. Nyambura and Wanjiku were both declared widows of Leitmann, who died on August 3, 2001.