The family of the late James Nderitu Gachagua has formally appealed to President William Ruto, seeking intervention over what they describe as years of injustice, alleged fraud, and attempts to disinherit them from the deceased’s estate.
In a letter dated March 23, 2026, addressed to the president through the Attorney General, the family said they have endured “immense suffering and hardship” since the death of their patriarch.
“We, the immediate family of the late Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua (Deceased), humbly and solemnly present this appeal… seeking justice, protection, and the restoration of dignity to a family that has endured immense suffering and hardship,” the letter reads.
The family alleges that a close relative has interfered with the estate through “intimidation, manipulation, and underhand methods,” including irregular transfer of assets and use of proxies to defraud the estate.
“Through intimidation, manipulation, and underhand methods, the said relative has relentlessly sought to disinherit the immediate family… by procuring irregular transfers of assets, using proxies to defraud the estate, and forcefully acquiring property that rightfully belongs to our family,” they state.
Disputed will raises forgery concerns
At the centre of the dispute is a contested will, which the family claims is fraudulent. According to the letter, the document being relied upon by the deceased’s brother is marked “Draft Last Will and Testament,” raising questions about its authenticity.
“A central concern is the Will purportedly cited… which causes our family to express deep concerns about forgery… the alleged will clearly bears the inscription ‘Draft Last Will and Testament’… A ‘draft’ document cannot… constitute the final will and testament,” the family states.
They further argue that the will could not have been legitimately executed given the late Gachagua’s medical condition at the time.
“Of gravity, is the fact that the alleged will was supposedly executed at a time when the late Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua was bedridden and profoundly grounded by Metastatic Pancreatic Carcinoma,” the letter reads.
Suzan Kirigo Nderitu, who was with her father during his final days at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, described his deteriorated state.
“She recalls with painful clarity that his condition had catastrophically deteriorated to the extent that he was unable to see, let alone write or comprehend any legal document,” the family states.
The family says the circumstances surrounding the will are “diametrically inconsistent with medical reality, witness account, and the physical condition” of the deceased, raising “serious and urgent concerns regarding forgery and fraudulent manipulation.”
Allegations of asset grabbing and financial distress
The letter further accuses the unnamed relative of leveraging political connections to misappropriate funds meant for the family and deny them access to inherited properties.
“Leveraging on his extensive political connections and influence, this relative… has blatantly defrauded and misappropriated funds meant for our welfare… while simultaneously denying us access to properties and resources,” the family claims.
As a result, several estate matters remain unresolved, leaving the family in “prolonged agony, uncertainty and financial distress.”
Family seeks State intervention
In their appeal, the family is asking the President to intervene by ordering investigations and safeguarding their rights.
They specifically seek “institution of an independent and impartial investigation into the forgery of a Will, irregular interference, fraudulent dealings and unlawful intermeddling of the estate.”
They also want the return of “all irregularly transferred assets and properties… including Olive Gardens and Vipingo Beach Resort.”
Additionally, the family has asked for protection from “further intimidation, coercion, or unlawful interference.”
The family expressed confidence in President Ruto’s leadership, saying they believe the matter can be resolved with fairness and compassion.
“We are genuinely persuaded that under Your Excellency’s prudent guidance and commitment to justice, this painful and prolonged matter can be firmly resolved with dignity and compassion,” the letter states.
They concluded by expressing hope that their plea will bring closure.
“We place our trust in Your Excellency’s sense of justice… so that the widows and children… may finally find justice, closure, and restoration.”
The letter is signed by members of the immediate family, including Margaret Nyokabi Nderitu, Susan Kirigo Nderitu, Mercy Wanjira Nderitu Early, Jason Kariuki Nderitu, and Ken Gachagua Nderitu.
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