Editor's Review

Late Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu alias Wakapee's family is locked in a fierce court battle over the control of the deceased legislator's wealth.

Francis Munyua "Wakapee" Waititu was laid to rest on March 2, 2021 after losing a long hard-fought battle against cancer.

During his burial, speeches from President Uhuru Kenyatta, the late Juja MP's wife, and children depicted a united family.

He was eulogised as an astute leader, generous, and a dedicated family man.

File image of late Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu. |Photo| Courtesy|

However, barely a week since the legislator's burial, his family is already locked in a fierce battle over the control of his estate.

The property row pits the children of Wakapee's deceased wife on one side and his widow Susan Munyua and her children on the other side.

"Our stepmother Susan and her offspring have taken it upon themselves to assume the sole administration of our father's estate, which we urge the court to stop with immediate effect," an affidavit by one of the sons, Michael Munyua reads in part.

The property in question is said to comprise a vast estate worth over Ksh300 million. This includes his Juja home, residential properties in Juja, Ruiru, Thika, and shares in a number of blue-chip companies.

Signs of the family discord emanated immediately after Wakapee's death when Michael vowed to go up against his stepmother in the upcoming Juja by-elections. He, however, dropped out of the race.

The case was scheduled to begin on Friday, March 5 but was postponed.

Michael and his sister Terry Njeri are suing Susan, her children, Martin Munyua, Christine Njeri, and Dinah Wanja for denying their father proper health care, misusing property, extortion, and embezzlement of Constituency Development Fund through illegal dealings.

The two siblings sought to have the respondents barred from controlling the estate which they allegedly installed themselves as joint managers. Michael and his sister are accusing them of looting their father's property.

"Your humble petitioners therefore pray for a declaration that Terry Njeri Munyua and Michael Munyua Waititu be appointed the joint legal guardians of Hon Francis Munyua Waititu and joint managers of his estate," their petition read in part.

They argued that the respondents took advantage of their father's ill health to dispose off his cars and land, along with other personal properties.

File image of late Juja MP Francis Munyua Waititu. |Photo| Courtesy|