The estate of the late Kiambu tycoon Nginyo Kariuki will be subjected to a forensic audit following claims of meddling by a section of the beneficiaries.
Lady Justice Abigail Mshila said the audit will assist the court in arriving at a determination following the accusations made by one of the daughters, Brenda Nyambura Kiragu, against her siblings.
The beneficiaries, she said, are to propose names of forensic auditors within 14 days.
As this is done, they will also make proposals on the source of funds for payment of fees for the forensic audit and the auditor.
The judge subsequently directed the matter to be mentioned on January 16 next year to confirm compliance.
Nginyo died on February 24, 2022. He left behind a widow, Margaret Wangari Nginyo, and nine children, including three from two other women.
His Will was contested in court by Brenda. She is one of the children born out of wedlock. Others are Alex Ndoria Karuri and Austin Wachira Karungo.
The deceased’s wealth includes real estate, farming, bank deposits and government bonds.
Brenda in her court papers accused Nginyo's eldest child Alice Wambui Kiragu and her brother Silas Macharia Kariuki of interfering with the deceased’s estate.
She claims that immediately after the death of their father, Wambui and team took over the management of his estate and continued to collect rent, withdraw money from his accounts, take over his properties and make decisions affecting the estate without an order from the court or involving other beneficiaries.
Wambui, however, denied the allegations saying there was no meddling as they were discharging their duties as executors.
An order was subsequently issued by Judge Stella Mutuku restraining the respondents from interfering with the deceased's estate including his bank accounts domiciled at Consolidated Bank and I&M Bank.