High Court Blocks Widows of the Late Hezekiah Oyugi from Selling Nakuru Land

More than three decades after the death of former Permanent Secretary Hezekiah Nelson Oyugi, a Nakuru High Court has ruled that his widows lack the legal capacity to dispose of a parcel of family land. The decision came after the estate’s administrators successfully challenged a 2006 consent judgment that had transferred the property to a businessman, arguing the transfer was made without their knowledge or approval.
According to the court records, the contested land in Nakuru — Block 12/30 — was transferred in 2006 via a consent order signed by the widows and a third party, Patrick Kiptanui. But Justice Millicent Odeny found that the widows entered the deal without authority, because succession proceedings for the estate were still unresolved. The estate administrators, Oyugi’s sons Job Okuna and Douglas Odhiambo, argued they were unaware of the agreement until they later reviewed registry records.
The ruling has sparked strong reactions. Supporters of the administrators praised the judgment as a defense of proper succession rights and accountability, especially in high-stakes land disputes. Some observers, however, warn that the decision could further complicate the already protracted legal battles surrounding the late Oyugi’s estate, which has multiple unresolved claims and ongoing litigation. Kenya Law
Looking ahead, the court has directed that the status quo be maintained on the parcel while the broader succession case proceeds. The administrators now have the opportunity to formally argue their case, and there are calls for a transparent audit of all prior land deals involving the estate. If successful, the judgment could not only restore the land to the Oyugi estate but also set a precedent for limiting estate transactions by individuals who do not have the legal standing to sell.