In re Estate of Protasio Njeru (Deceased) [2023] KEHC 25798 (KLR)

In re Estate of Protasio Njeru (Deceased) (Succession Cause 23 of 2023) [2023] KEHC 25798 (KLR) (23 November 2023) (Ruling)

Neutral citation: [2023] KEHC 25798 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the High Court at Meru

Succession Cause 23 of 2023

TW Cherere, J

November 23, 2023

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PROTASIO NJERU (DECEASED) AND IN THE MATTER OF SUMMONS FOR CONFIRMATION OF GRANT OF ADMINISTRATION TESTATE (WITH WILL ANNEXED).

In the matter of

Sigismond K. Njeru

1st Petitioner

Henry Paul Ireri Njeru

2nd Petitioner

Christina Warue Njeru

3rd Petitioner

Ruling

1. Protasio Njeru (Deceased) died sometimes on 09th April, 2023. The deceased was survived by the following:a)Sigismond K. Njeru- widowb)Lawrence Christopher Njeru- adult sonc)Antony Murithi Njeru- adult sond)Christina Warue Njeru- adult daughtere)Henry Paul Ireri Njeru- adult son

2. Deceased’s estate comprised of the assets listed in schedule (A) and liabilities listed in schedule (B) annexed to this ruling.

3. The Grant of Letters of Administration Intestate herein was made to t Sigismond K. Njeru, Henry Paul Ireri Njeru and Christina Warue Njeru, respectively in their capacity as widow, son and daughter and executors of deceased written will on 14th November, 2023.

4. Certificate of Urgency, the Applicants have sought early confirmation of grant citing the following grounds That:1. The deceased left behind a very large estate dealing in Coffee, Tea and Macadamia manufacturing and processing and the estate has not been able to proceed to operate in the absence of the deceased due to the many legal technicalities involved.2. The estate has been totally crippled and has so far accrued a colossal debt of Kshs. 2,442,723,190/- (Two billion, four hundred forty-two million, seven hundred twenty-three thousand, one hundred ninety.3. The estate has been totally unable to service its facilities from various banks and has been served with demand letters from I &M bank, and other banks which actions shall unless arrested by this courts orders shall put the estate at a risk of being exploited through auctions or liquidation4. The three Executors herein have sought to procure additional capital for the estate through new financiers who have accepted their proposal subject to provision of securities5. The new financiers namely, Belgian Development Co-operation & Family Bank Ltd have accepted the proposal to entirely buy off the current outstanding bank loans and set the estate for a fresh start in all its going concern.6. The Executors do hold the following properties in Trust for the purpose of charging the following properties to the new financiers to preserve the remaining Estate.i.Ntima/Igoki/1880ii.Ntima/Igoki/4331iii.Ntima/Igoki/4007iv.Ntima/Goki/4330v.Ntima/Igoki/2050vi.Ntima/Igoki/2134vii.Ntima/Igoki/2136viii.Ntima/Igoki/779ix.Ntima/Igoki/2135x.Nyambene/Kirindinea/4598xi.Nyambene/Kirindina/2799xii.Nyabene/Kirindinea/1146xiii.Nyambene/Kirindinea/74xiv.Nyambene/Kirindinea/118xv.Nyambene/Kirindinea/169xvi.Nyambene/Kirindinea/141xvii.Nyambene/Kirindinea/887. The Executors transfer to Sigismond K. Njeru the property Tigania East/Ankamia2053 (formerly Plot No. 2053 Ankamia Adjudicated Section) for charging to preserve the estate and for distribution at a future date.8. That the widow, Sigismond K. Njeruis very sick and urgently needs to undergo an operation and the money for paying for her surgery can only be found if the executors are facilitated by this court to raise fresh capital for the estate to run the businesses.

5. Section 71 (3) of the Law of Successions Act as follows:71 (3).The court may, on the application of the holder of a grant of representation, direct that such grant be confirmed before the expiration of six months from the date of the grant if it is satisfied—a)that there is no dependent, as defined by section 29, of the deceased or that the only dependents are of full age and consent to the application;b)that it would be expedient in all circumstances of the case so to direct.

6. The three executors of Deceased’s will have demonstrated by their joint affidavit sworn on 16th November, 2023 in support of the summons that the other two beneficiaries namely Lawrence Christopher Njeru and Antony Murithi Njeru who are adult sons of the deceased, have consented to the proposed distribution of the estate set out in paragraphs 10, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the supporting affidavit.

7. The court has confirmed that the estate assets have been identified, and that the distribution complies with the deceased’s wishes as per his written will.

8. This court accepts the reason for urgency given by the applicants being the need to provide medical care to the widow of the deceased but more importantly to preserve from going to waste for purposes of confirmation upon expiry of six months prescribed in section 71 (1) of the Law of Succession Act as sufficient cause for the early confirmation of the Grant under the exception of section 71 (3) of the Act.

Orders 9. Accordingly, for the reasons set out above, the court confirms the Grant of Probate made on 14th November, 2023 before the expiry of the six months’ period, pursuant to section 71 (3) of the Law of Succession Act and on account of the urgency demonstrated in the application as per the instructions of the deceased in the Will as follows:Immovable Property1. LR Ntima/Igoki/1880 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru to hold in trust of Protasio Njeru Trust2. LR Ntima/Igoki/4331to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru to hold in trust of Protasio Njeru Trust3. LR Ntima/Igoki/4007 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru to hold in trust of Protasio Njeru Trust4. LR Ntima/Igoki/2050 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.5. LR Ntima/Igoki/2134 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.6. Ntima/Igoki/2136to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.7. LR Ntima/Igoki/779 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.8. LR Ntima/Igoki/2135 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.9. LRNtima/Igoki/2043 to be Registered in the name of Nyambene Coffee Estate Limited (not available for distribution)10. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/544 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.11. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/649 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.12. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/723 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.13. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/1189 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and. Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.14. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/690 to be registered in the names of. Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.15. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/1586to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.16. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/199 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.17. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/1080 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.18. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/1585 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.19. LR Kiegoi/Kinyanka/701 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru20. LR Nyambene/KirindineA/4598 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/KirindineA/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.21. LR Nyambene/KirindineA/1146 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/Kirindine A/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.22. LR Nyambene/KirindineA/74 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/KirindineA/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.23. LR Nyambene/KirindineA/118 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/KirindineA/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.24. LR Nyambene/Kirindinea/169 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/KirindineA/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.25. LR Nyambene/KirindineA/141 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/KirindineA/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.26. LR Nyambene/KirindineA/88 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru Nyambene/KirindineA/2799 of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.27. LR Nyaki/Giaki/60 Registered in the name of Master Macadamia EPZ Limited (not available for distribution)28. LR Nyaki/Giaki/1148 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust29. LR Nyaki/Giaki/1635 Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust30. LR Nyaki/Giaki/1864 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust31. LR Nyaki/Giaki/2753 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust32. LR Nyaki/Giaki/2408 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust33. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1413 Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust34. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1414 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust35. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1504 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust36. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1537 to beRegistered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust37. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1538 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust38. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1540 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust39. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1541 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust40. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1543 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust41. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1544 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust42. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1608 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust43. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1609 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust44. LR Kiirua/Ruiri/1610 to be Registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries of Protasio Njeru Trust45. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/5464 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.46. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/5476 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.47. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/5477 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.48. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/5474 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.49. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/5480 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.50. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/5091 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.51. LR Tigania East/Ankamia/9532 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.52. LR Tigania East/Ankamia2053 (formerly Plot No. 2053 Ankamia Adjudicated Section) to be transferred to the name of Sigismond.K. Njeru and be charged to a financial institution to preserve the estate.53. LR AmungentiA/1809 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.54. LR AmungentiA/12979 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.55. LR AmungentiA/12980 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.56. LR AmungentiA/13052 to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.57. LR Amungenti- 50 Acres pending demarcation numbers to be registered in the names of Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru to hold in trust of all beneficiaries and Njeru Industries Ltd.B. Movable Property(a)Bank AccountsSums of money held in my account at Equity Bank Account Number 0195070736 - to be deposited in the Protasio Njeru Trust(b)Shares1. Njeru Industries 55,000 Shares to be held by the Executors Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru in trust for the benefit of all beneficiaries until the formal creation of the Trust Deed2. Nyambene Coffee Estates Limited to be held in the Protasio Njeru Trust3. Nyambene Coffee Mills to be held in the Protasio Njeru Trust4. Kiegoi Tea Factory Ltd to be held in the Protasio NjeruTrust5. Michimikuru Tea Factory Ltd- Class A 458 Shares to be held in the Protasio Njeru Trust6. Igembe Tea Factory Ltd to be held in the Protasio Njeru Trust7. Angies Tea Ltd to be held in the Protasio Njeru Trust8. Master Macadamia Ltd to be held by the Executors Sigismond.K. Njeru, Christina Warue Njeru and Henry Paul Njeru in trust for the benefit of all beneficiaries until the formal creation of the Trust Deed.(c)House Hold Items1. Electronic Equipment to be distributed equally among the beneficiaries.2. Clothing to be distributed equally among the beneficiaries3. Furniture to be distributed equally among the beneficiaries

10. Upon transmission, the assets listed here below shall be charged for purposes of preserving the estate is allowed1. Ntima/Igoki/18802. Ntima/Igoki/43313. Ntima/Igoki/40074. Ntima/IGoki/43305. Ntima/Igoki/20506. Ntima/Igoki/21347. Ntima/Igoki/21368. Ntima/Igoki/7799. Ntima/Igoki/213510. Nyambene/KirindineA/459811. Nyambene/Kirindina/279912. Nyabene/KirindineA/114613. Nyambene/KirindineA/7414. Nyambene/KirindineA/11815. Nyambene/KirindineA/16916. Nyambene/KirindineA/14117. Nyambene/KirindineA/8818. LR Tigania East/Ankamia2053 (formerly Plot No. 2053 Ankamia Adjudicated Section)

11. Certificate of Confirmation of Grant shall issue accordingly.

12. Mention on 29th February, 2024 to confirm compliance with these orders

13. Costs shall be in the cause

SCHEDULE A a.Immovable Assets1. Ntima/Igoki/18802. Ntima/Igoki/43313. Ntima/Igoki/40074. Ntima/Igoki/43305. Ntima/Igoki/20506. Ntima/Igoki/21347. Ntima/Igoki/21368. Ntima/Igoki/7799. Ntima/Igoki/204310. Ntima/Igoki/213511. Kiegoi/Kinyanka /54412. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/64913. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/72314. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/118915. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/69016. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/158617. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/19918. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/108019. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/158520. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/70121. Nyambene/Kirindine A/459822. Nyambene/Kirindine A/279923. Nyambene/Kirindine A/114624. Nyambene/Kirindine A/7425. Nyambene/Kirindine A/11826. Nyambene/Kirindine A/16927. Nyambene/Kirindine A/14128. Nyambene/Kirindine A/8829. Nyambene/Kirindine A/207330. Nyambene/Kirindine A/259731. Nyambene/Kirindine A/364432. Nyambene/Kirindine A/380333. Nyaki/Giaki/6034. Nyaki/Giaki/114835. Nyaki/Giaki/163536. Nyaki/Giaki/186437. Nyaki/Giaki/275338. Nyaki/Thuura/2408

SCHEDULE B LIABILITIES1. I &M Bank Limited - USD 9,500,000/-2. Incofin Inclusive Finance Fund Sa, Sicav-Raif - Agri-Finance Liquidity - USD 2,200,000/-3. Oikocredit, Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society–Usd 3,000,000/-4. Family Bank Ltd - KES. 21,800,757/-5. Solution Sacco Society Ltd – KES. 3,965,896/-6. Chai Sacco Society Ltd - KES. 2,560,150/7. NCBA Bank Kenya Plc - KES. 8,265,438/-8. Co-Operative Bank (K) Ltd - KES. 1,146,186/-9. Equity Bank Kenya Ltd - KES. 150,000,000/-10. Salaries - KES. 7,200,000/11. Farmers Payment - KES. 1,209,619/-12. Power and Lighting Co. Ltd - KES. 3,506,015/-13. Student Fees For Dependents - KES. 779,936/-14. Firewood Suppliers - KES. 2,889,193/-15. Medical Operation Bill - KES. 5,000,000/-(Total estimated value KES. 2,442,723,190/- (Two billion, four hundred forty-two million, seven hundred twenty-three thousand, one hundred ninety.)

DATED AT MERU 23RD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2023. WAMAE. T. W. CHEREREJUDGEAppearancesCourt Assistant -Morris KinotiFor Applicants - Mr. Anampiu for Ayub K. Anampiu & Company Advocates