The Environment and Lands Court has ruled in favor of Eunita Kibor, declaring her the sole executor of her late husband's estate valued at over Ksh3 billion. This decision comes after a long-running family dispute over Jackson Kibor's estate, who passed away in March 2022. Kibor was a prominent businessman from Eldoret, known for his vast agricultural land and commercial properties across Kenya.
The court ruling settles a contentious legal battle involving over 16 of Kibor's children, who had accused their stepmother of relying on a forged will to secure the biggest share of their father's wealth for herself and her four children. The children had also alleged that Eunita had been collecting substantial rental income from a multi-million-shilling commercial building in Eldoret town without involving the rest of the family.
Justice Emmanuel Washe, who presided over the case, found a significant flaw in the children's legal argument, stating that only the estate's legal executor had the standing to file a complaint, not the children. The judge noted that if the children remain dissatisfied with Eunita's role as executor, the proper route would be to pursue her removal through the appropriate legal channels.
Eunita Kibor testified before the court that she held the Eldoret commercial building only in trust for her four children, rather than as a personal asset. She also stated that her late husband had personally sanctioned her appointment as executor of the estate. Eunita detailed the hardships her family has endured, including being forced off Mafuta Farm, a 320-acre property in Moiben sub-county, Uasin Gishu County.
Jackson Kibor's estate includes vast tracts of agricultural land across Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, and Nakuru counties. He was married to four wives and fathered 27 children, leaving behind prime commercial properties in Eldoret, Nakuru, and Nairobi, several bank accounts, shareholdings in blue-chip companies, and other assets.
The succession case remains ongoing, with Eunita expected to carry out her role as executor with support from Kibor's former lawyer, Jonah Bundotich. Other contested properties include matrimonial homes in Chepkoilel and Kabebes, Ziwa.
Jackson Kibor had previously made headlines when he divorced his second and third wives, citing that they had become a burden in his life. With Eunita declared as the sole executor, the family dispute over his estate has taken a decisive turn, as she begins to manage his vast assets.
Key points
- The Environment and Lands Court has declared Eunita Kibor as the sole executor of Jackson Kibor's Sh3 billion estate.
- The court ruling settles a long-running family dispute over Kibor's estate, which involved over 16 of his children.
- Eunita's appointment as executor is expected to bring clarity to the management of Kibor's vast assets, including commercial properties and agricultural land.
