Eldoret: A senior lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has suffered a major setback after the High Court in Eldoret revoked a grant that had given her exclusive powers to manage her late father's estate worth over Sh200 million.
According to Kenya News Agency, Justice Reuben Nyakundi annulled the grant earlier issued to the lecturer, Tecla Jerotich Sum, ruling that she misled the court and failed to disclose material facts when applying for the document in June this year. The estate, at the center of a family dispute between Sum and her siblings, is estimated at more than Sh200 million and comprises extensive land holdings, commercial plots, livestock, and multiple bank accounts.
In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi noted that the lecturer proceeded with her petition despite knowing she had concealed crucial details from the court. "I hereby revoke the certificate of confirmation of grant obtained by the respondent dated June 13, 2025," stated the judge. The revocation followed an urgent application by one of the deceased's sons, David Kipleting Tanui, who accused his sister of fraudulently securing the grant to gain control of their late father's estate without the consent of other beneficiaries.
Court documents revealed that the deceased, Tanui Kipleting Sum, died 26 years ago, leaving behind two widows and 23 children. His properties span several parts of Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties, including hundreds of acres of wheat and maize farmland, prime commercial plots, livestock, and substantial sums held in banks. Tanui told the court that family members were shocked to learn about the succession proceedings only after receiving summons for the confirmation of the grant on September 16, 2025.
"We were surprised and shocked about the whole process since the consent and participation of beneficiaries of our father's estate were never sought as required by law," he stated. He further alleged that his sister falsely claimed all family members had consented to the mode of distribution, which turned out to be untrue. "The grant was obtained fraudulently by concealment of facts and by misleading the court that all beneficiaries had consented to her administration," Tanui argued.
The court was equally alarmed to find that no beneficiary had signed any consent form supporting the lecturer's petition. Justice Nyakundi criticized the don's conduct, describing it as an attempt to mislead the court and exclude other beneficiaries. "In view of the bad faith exhibited by our sister in concealing material facts and misleading the court, I pray that she be removed as an administrator forthwith," Tanui told the court.
In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi directed the family to appoint new administrators to manage the estate following the revocation of the grant. He ordered that the new administrators should include the lecturer's mother, Annah Gele Sum, and one of the deceased's sons, Sirma Sum. The court emphasized the need for fairness, transparency, and family consensus in the administration of the late Sum's estate, urging the family to work together in the spirit of justice and unity.
The matter will be mentioned again on November 10, 2025, for further directions on the appointment of administrators and subsequent management of the estate.