A bitter inheritance dispute has torn apart a once-close family in Nandi after the High Court in Eldoret revoked a grant that had handed a university lecturer sole control of her late father’s multi-million-shilling estate.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi ruled that Tecla Jerotich Sum, a senior lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, obtained the grant through fraud and concealment, effectively locking out her 22 siblings and two stepmothers from their father’s wealth.
The estate of the late Tanui Kipleting Sum, who died 26 years ago, is estimated at over Sh200 million and includes hundreds of acres of maize and wheat farms in Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties, prime commercial plots, livestock, and bank accounts.
The judge noted that Ms. Sum deliberately failed to inform the court about the existence of other beneficiaries, yet proceeded to apply for confirmation of the grant in June this year.
“This court finds that the grant was obtained through concealment of material facts. The certificate of confirmation dated June 13, 2025, is hereby revoked,” ruled Justice Nyakundi.
The revocation followed a petition filed by one of the deceased’s sons, David Kipleting Tanui, who accused his sister of manipulating the succession process to gain control of the vast estate.
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According to him, the family only discovered the matter after receiving court summons for confirmation of the grant in September.
“We were shocked to learn that succession proceedings had been concluded without our consent,” he said, adding that no family member had signed any consent forms supporting the lecturer’s petition.
Justice Nyakundi castigated the lecturer for acting in bad faith and attempting to disinherit her relatives, warning that succession disputes must be handled with transparency and unity.
The court directed that the family appoint new administrators, including Annah Gele Sum, the widow of the late patriarch, and Sirma Sum, one of the sons.
The matter will be mentioned on November 10, 2025, for further directions.
By our reporter
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