I am a recently widowed mother of four in my early 40s. My firstborn is sitting for her KCSE this year. My third-born will be joining Grade 10 in January 2026 while my last born is in Grade Five. I have inherited Sh1.3 million in cash, two plots, and one acre parcel of land from my late husband. The first plot is in Malaa and has an estimated value of Sh1.5 million. The second plot is in Ruiru, Kiambu worth around Sh4 million, where we were planning to build our future home. The acre of land is in Nyandarua County and was part of my husband’s family inheritance from his late dad. The title deed is in his name.
We have been renting in Kasarani and our primary monthly household budget has been rent Sh40,000, food and groceries Sh25,000, water, power and internet Sh5,000. With my husband gone, I can no longer raise these monthly budgets from my salary of Sh70,000 as a nurse. I would like to restructure our financial lifestyle but I don’t know how to go about it. I am also concerned about securing my children’s education.
I would also love to achieve my late husband’s dream of building a family home over the next five years (a Sh10 million four-bedroom maisonette). Should I sell the properties and use the funds on these goals? I have Sh550,000 saved in a Sacco.
Rhina Namsia is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Acemt Consulting, a training and consultation company that provides financial planning and investment advisory
Be kind and patient with yourself. Grief can cloud decision-making, so it's important not to rush any major financial moves until you're emotionally grounded and fully informed. Avoid selling any properties for now. Secure all property documentation, especially for the Nyandarua land. Consider beginning the succession process, if not yet done, to have the title in your name.
Second, adjust your immediate lifestyle. Your monthly salary of Sh70,000 cannot comfortably support your current budget. You are spending it all with no room for savings or emergencies. Shift to a more affordable but decent rental house, probably at half your current cost of Sh40,000 per month.
Use part of your inheritance to cushion your salary by allocating Sh360,000 from the Sh1.3 million for the next 12 months to supplement your salary with Sh30,000 per month allocations. This increases your usable monthly income from Sh70,000 to Sh100,000. This gives you room to maintain decent housing for your children, start saving again and handle school-related needs. Place this buffer in a Money Market Fund for safety, steady return (of at least 10 per cent per annum), and easy access.
Third, build an emergency fund. With a balance of Sh940,000 from the inheritance, set aside Sh420,000 to create a six-month emergency fund. Target Sh420,000 at Sh70,000 for six months. Place this in a money market fund as well.
For your medium term goals, prioritise education planning. Consider a structured Sacco savings and/or money markets or a termly school fees reserve. Allocate Sh400,000 to 500,000 from your inheritance into these funds. Track school fee needs annually and stagger payments using term-based plans and bursary applications. Engage schools about possible support or scholarships, especially for the transition years. This will give you breathing space when school fees hit, especially in January, and reduce panic spending.
Here's a practical path to build a Sh10 million maisonette over five years. Keep the Mugutha land. It’s in a prime area and already valued at Sh4 million. If the title is clean and you’re emotionally connected to the dream, this is where you should build. Start with a two-phase building plan. Many people build their home over two to four years in phases. Phase 1: Foundation and basic structure – Budget Sh2.5 million. Phase 2: Roofing and Finishing – Sh4–5 million.
You’ll likely need Sh10 million, but spread across five years. It is achievable with planning and extra income. Consider selling the Malaa plot to kick start your home and income goals.
Do not sell any plots now unless you are distressed. Land appreciates. If you must, sell later. Consider selling the Malaa plot first because it’s less emotionally tied and can raise Sh1.5 million. Sell only if or when you’re ready to start building or if you want to invest in a small rental or income-generating project. Retain Mugutha for the home project and the Nyandarua land for potential farming and income.
For long-term security, you must invest wisely. Once you stabilise, put your savings to work by using the money market funds for safety and liquidity, Sacco deposits for borrowing power, T-Bills or Bonds for medium-term planning and generation of passive income in the future.
Update legal documents and write a Will to protect your children’s inheritance. Appoint a guardian or trustee to ensure assets are used responsibly for the children.
Allow yourself to grieve as some decisions may be emotionally charged. Journaling and therapy can help. Don’t go it alone. Build a circle of support, which can be close and trusted friends, a financial mentor, or your church or community group.
Avoid pressure from relatives or friends urging you to sell land or invest quickly. Don’t trust blindly as not everyone will have your best interests at heart. Take your time and celebrate small wins as every step you take counts, even cutting Sh5,000 from your budget.
With careful planning, small lifestyle changes, and steady choices, you can secure your children’s future without selling off your entire inheritance. Let the properties work for you over time. Your husband’s dream for a home is still alive and now it's yours to nurture and bring it into reality.
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