The family of prominent Eldoret African Inland Church (AIC) evangelist and philanthropist Edward Limo, who died in December 2017, is embroiled in a succession dispute over the distribution of his Sh3 billion estate, which now involves his former employee.
The family has accused John Macharia, a former employee of the late evangelist, of frustrating the distribution of the vast estate seven years after Limo's death.
On Wednesday January 29, the expected beneficiaries told High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi that Mr Macharia was responsible for the delays, alleging that he was illegally claiming a share of the deceased's wealth despite not being a legitimate member of the family.
Through their legal team led by lawyer Betty Koech, the beneficiaries argued that Mr Macharia had no right to claim ownership of their late father's multi-million shilling properties spread across Eldoret City and its environs.
Mr Macharia, who was employed by the late evangelist to manage one of his schools, insists that he is a shareholder in the property.
He claims to have invested more than Sh50 million in Concord Boys High School, a fact denied by the family.
The school in question is located on part of the late evangelist's prime 1,000-acre property in Kapsoya.
Mzee Limo, a close friend of the late former President Daniel arap Moi, passed away on 13 December 2017.
According to court documents, Limo's estate includes an African Inland Church, Kao La Amani Church, Kao La Amani College and a private hospital, among other movable and immovable assets.
Mr Macharia, who served as the school's principal for more than 20 years, was ousted after Limo's death, disrupting both academic and non-academic programmes at the institution.
"There is no way John Macharia can claim a share of the deceased's vast estate as he is not part of the family. He is the only obstacle preventing the rightful beneficiaries from enjoying their father's wealth," said Ms Koech, the lawyer.
Fresh wrangles erupted after Mr Macharia claimed a 50 per cent stake in the school, saying he had invested in its construction alongside the late evangelist.
According to beneficiaries Benjamin, Ruth and Mary Limo - Limo's children - Mr Macharia has no legal basis to claim any part of their father's estate.
"Macharia was only an employee of our late father's school, serving as the headmaster. He should not claim a share of our father's wealth," said Benjamin Limo.
However, through his lawyer David Omboto, Mr Macharia clarified that he was not seeking a share of Limo's entire estate, but only a stake in Concord Boys High School, where he claims to have had an equal partnership with the deceased.
"It is unfortunate that after Limo's death, his children turned against my client, labelled him a stranger and forcibly evicted him from the school where he served as principal for many years," Mr Omboto told the court.
He further argued that the late evangelist had entrusted Mr Macharia with the management of the school because of its status as a leading private institution in the region.
