The bitter succession battle for the late Uasin Gishu tycoon Jackson Kibor’s Sh16 billion estate has erupted into chaos, as his surviving widows and their 29 children clash with his youngest wife, Eunita Kibor, over the control of the tycoon’s assets.
Tensions reached a boiling point recently when a group of Kibor’s children, led by his son Albert Kibor, stormed the family’s commercial property in Eldoret, located at the bustling main bus stage. The family members, armed with legal documents, forcibly began evicting tenants, accusing them of paying rent into an account controlled by their stepmother, Eunita.
More than 100 traders operating in the multi-million-shilling building were caught off guard and rushed to close their businesses in fear. Albert and his supporters claim they were simply enforcing a court order requiring rental income to be deposited into a joint family account, ensuring fair distribution of the funds.
“We will not allow you to continue operating from this property unless you follow the court’s directive,” Albert told one of the tenants. “Our late father intended that the rental proceeds be shared equally among the family, not funneled into one person’s account.”
Albert, accompanied by his granddaughter, was adamant that the tenants were complicit in funneling over Sh100 million in rent to Eunita, depriving the rest of the family. “Since Mzee passed away four years ago, not a single cent has been given to the family from this property’s income,” Albert fumed.
In response, Eunita Kibor defended her actions, insisting that her late husband had specifically allocated the property to her and their four children. She explained that she was merely acting as a trustee, ensuring the money supported the education and welfare of her children.
“The property was left to my children, and I’m simply managing it as per Mzee’s instructions. I am the rightful owner, and I will not tolerate any interference,” Eunita declared, standing firm against her stepchildren.
The explosive confrontation escalated quickly, drawing the attention of local authorities. A team of anti-riot police were deployed to the scene to restore order. Albert was arrested and briefly detained at the Eldoret Central Police Station, where he was later released on a Sh10,000 bail.
Outside the police station, Albert condemned the police intervention, vowing to continue his fight for what he believes is rightfully his. “They think this bail will stop me, but I will fight for this property, no matter what,” he declared defiantly. “I’ve been warned, but this isn’t over.”
The controversy stems from an ongoing court case regarding the will left behind by Jackson Kibor. The will, which Eunita claims designates her as the sole trustee of the property, is being contested by other family members, including Kibor’s second and third wives, who allege that the will is a forgery.
Lawyer Jonah Korir, who drafted the will, testified in court that the deceased was of sound mind when he instructed him on the distribution of his assets. Korir, who was present at the signing of the will, emphasized that the document was witnessed by two other lawyers and executed properly.
Despite this, the family remains divided, with allegations of mental incapacity and fraud casting a shadow over the tycoon’s final wishes. The legal battle is expected to continue, with the Kibor family locked in a fierce struggle that could have major consequences for their multi-billion-shilling fortune.
As the court case progresses, it remains unclear who will ultimately emerge victorious in this high-stakes family feud. What is certain, however, is that the legacy of Jackson Kibor is now mired in controversy, with his children and wives fighting over every last shilling of his vast fortune.