The inheritance dispute over the late former President Mwai Kibaki’s estate is set to proceed to a hearing following an application to exhume his body for DNA tests.
The dispute involves Jacob Ocholla, who claims to be Kibaki’s firstborn son, and a woman identified as JNL. Both objectors are demanding DNA tests, asserting that this is the only way to confirm their biological connection to Kibaki.
Ocholla insists that no existing male siblings can provide the necessary DNA to establish his claim as Kibaki’s son, asserting his status as Kibaki’s firstborn child. In contrast, Kibaki’s will lists his four children—Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagai, and Anthony Githinji—as the heirs to his multimillion-shilling estate.
Kibaki’s children have opposed the exhumation, arguing that it would violate their privacy. Judy Wanjiku, who filed the affidavit on behalf of her siblings, emphasized that exhuming Kibaki’s remains is not a decision to be taken lightly. She noted that Kibaki was buried with the honors of a state funeral, a significant event both nationally and internationally, funded by public money.
The case highlights the complexities of inheritance disputes, particularly when claims arise posthumously and involve high-profile figures. The court’s decision on whether to permit the exhumation for DNA testing will significantly impact the resolution of this contentious issue.
