The administrators of the estate of late Starehe MP Gerishon Kirima will continue gathering information, identifying assets and liabilities before presenting a proposed mode of the multimillion estate for distribution, as directed by the High Court in February last year.
In a blow to the widow, Ms Teresia Kirima, who was removed as an administrator for intermeddling, the Court of Appeal declined to suspend the decision, saying displacing the new administrators would create uncertainty and potentially leave the estate without lawful oversight.
Mrs Kirima was appointed the joint administrator together with Ms Anne Wangari Kirima (Kirima’s daughter) in 2013, but she was removed last year and replaced by Stephen Kamau Kirima.
She had complained that the newly appointed administrators had commenced implementing far-reaching actions such as terminating long-serving estate employees without due process and publishing a newspaper notice that publicly maligns her, while warning tenants against transacting with her.
She submitted that the actions have destabilised management systems that have existed for decades and caused fear and confusion among tenants and workers, thereby creating a real risk of disorder and financial loss if the decision is not suspended.
The court, however, said the estate remains intact and no irreversible steps affecting ownership or substantive rights have been shown.
“In addition, the applicants remain as recognised beneficiaries and their entitlement is not dependent on their role in the administration of the estate. Therefore, the interruption of their administrative roles, especially that of the 1st applicant (Mrs Kirima), does not in any way affect their beneficial interest in the estate or render the intended appeal futile,” ruled the court.
The late Gerishon Kirima at a balcony of his house in Kitisiru on August 7, 2010. The city tycoon passed away on December 29, 2010 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in South Africa.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Mrs Kirima faulted the court for removing her as an administrator despite evidence that she was handling repairs, management and preservation of estate assets.
Anne opposed the application and submitted that since the judgment in February 2025, she and Kamau have taken steps to regularise estate management and redirect rental income into the estate account.
However, Mrs Kirima had allegedly resisted through intimidation, violence and continued rent collection.
Mr Kamau also said reinstating his stepmother would undermine ongoing administration and prejudice beneficiaries. He cautioned that reinstating her would revive mismanagement, exacerbate tensions and hinder proper administration.
Mr Kirima died on December 21, 2010, in South Africa, where he had been flown for treatment. A succession battle soon ensued and after hearing testimonies from all parties, the High Court in June 2013 nullified two wills referred to as the Kahari and London Wills and ruled that the former MP died intestate.
Mr Kirima left more than 40 landed properties scattered in Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a and Kajiado.
Some of the houses illegally constructed on a parcel of land owned by late billionaire Gerishon Kirima’s family in a photo taken on October 24, 2023.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
He also left behind shares in private companies, including Kenda Investments ltd and Wangu Investments and also in publicly listed firms such as East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), Sameer Africa ltd, Kakuzi ltd, Kenya Airways, Housing Finance, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, National Bank of Kenya and KCB Bank.
The former MP also left behind money in several banks and motor vehicles, which are to be distributed among 15 beneficiaries identified by the court.
The High Court was told that the estate was partially distributed and the beneficiaries have been receiving school fees, medical and Christmas bonus and shares listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).
The family had identified the mode of distribution between the beneficiaries, saying all of them would be entitled to an equitable share of the estate. However, any gifts that might have been given to any of the beneficiaries and those who have intermeddled would revert to the estate.
The High Court had directed the administrators to do a final report of all the liabilities of the estate within six months from the date of the judgment.
The administrators were also directed to prepare a comprehensive report of the cost or loss to the estate occasioned by intermeddling with the estate.
They were also ordered to submit a revised proposal of distribution of the net estate, having made provision for settlement of the liabilities, which encompasses the gifts made and intermeddling by the beneficiaries within 18 months.
The court had said the administrators should ensure that all rental income of the estate is deposited into the estate accounts.
It was found that some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs Kirima, had intermeddled with the estate for collecting rent from various properties and not depositing the money in the estate account.
