President Uhuru's kin in bitter fight over millions with step mother

Gecaga Family: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s brother in-law is engaged in a fresh fierce battle over the control of millions of shillings with his stepmother. Mr. Udi Gecaga has taken her step mother Margaret Gacigi Gecaga to court over the control of money linked to the transfer of shares in Gateway Insurance.

Udi is married to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s elder sister, Jeni Wambui. His son Jomo works at State House as the President’s long-serving personal assistant while her daughter, Nana, serves as chief executive of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

According to a report that appeared on Monday in the Business Daily  Gecaga wants the court to allow him to access Sh. 57.6 million held in a joint account at KCB Group. This money had been placed in a joint account pending conclusion of the suit.

“According to the judges, Margaret had no direct claim to the shares, which were transferred in 2012 to a firm known as Quinvest Limited, where Udi has an interest, triggering the latest court suit. Margaret had termed the transfer of the Gateway shares fraudulent and illegal, arguing she was entitled to the stake in the insurance firm as the spouse of Bethuel,” the report further says. Apparently, despite contesting in court, Margaret lost the case both at the High Court and on appeal. This resulted in Udi Gecaga seeking the Sh. 57.6 million plus interest.

Udi is also seeking to kick out his stepmother Margaret Gacigi Gecaga from the Muthaiga residence she shared with his father for nearly 10 years till his death in 2016. He is also demanding rent of over Sh. 9 million accrued from the time his father died in December 2016.

The report further says as follows:

“The Gecagas’ property battle was triggered by a 2007 decision to transfer Bethuel’s property to Quinvest, and the appointment of Udi to shepherd the firm. The assets’ transfer was linked to Bethuel’s estate planning, but Margaret termed it a fraud and an effort to exclude her from the multibillion shilling property.

She argued that her husband did not permit the property transfers because he was suffering memory loss from years of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Margaret filed the suit on behalf of her husband, arguing he could not make rational judgment or join the suit as a party.

Bethuel married Margaret in August 2007, having lived as a widower since 1979 when his first wife, former nominated MP Jemima Gecaga, died.

At the time of the marriage, Bethuel was 82 years old, while Margaret, who told the court she had been his live-in partner for many years before ratification of the relationship, was 69.” Gecaga Family.