Widow Applies for Administration of Unclaimed Assets

Lwam Getachew Bekelle, the widow of Fidel Odinga, the elder son of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has formally applied to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) to administer her late husband's financial assets held in a local bank. The UFAA announced this development through a gazette notice dated Friday, October 17, 2025.

Fidel Odinga's name appeared on a list of individuals whose assets are now under consideration for administration. An administrator is legally appointed to manage the wealth or assets left behind by a deceased person. The process requires the applicant to complete specific forms and obtain a letter of no objection from other beneficiaries of the deceased.

Following Ms. Bekelle's application, the UFAA has issued a 30-day public notice, inviting any individual to file a counterclaim against her application. Should no objections be lodged within this period, the assets will be released to her. The UFAA's notice stated, "Unless an objection to the claims is lodged at the offices of the Authority at the address below within thirty (30) days from the date hereof, payment will be made to the aforementioned person."

Historical Context of Estate Disputes

The current application by Ms. Bekelle revives memories of a protracted legal battle over Fidel Odinga's estate following his death in January 2015. Fidel Odinga died without a will, leading to disputes among family members regarding the administration and distribution of his properties.

In 2019, Fidel's mother, Ida Odinga, and sister, Winnie Odinga, moved to court seeking to revoke the letters of administration initially granted to Ms. Bekelle. They alleged that Ms. Bekelle had secretly filed for control of Fidel's assets and excluded other interested parties, including twins allegedly fathered by Fidel with another woman, Phoebe Akinyi Gweno. Ms. Bekelle, however, maintained that she would include the twins as beneficiaries if DNA tests confirmed their paternity.

The dispute was eventually settled out of court in June 2022. Under the terms of the settlement, Ms. Bekelle retained control of three properties, including the matrimonial home in Karen, and was to hold other assets such as cash in eight bank accounts, two cars, a plot in Kisumu, and two investment firms in trust for their son, a minor. Raila Odinga Junior was appointed as a joint administrator of the estate alongside Ms. Bekelle.

UFAA's Role in Unclaimed Assets

The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) is a state corporation established under the Unclaimed Financial Assets Act, No. 40 of 2011. Its mandate is to administer unclaimed financial assets, which include dormant bank accounts, unclaimed dividends, insurance benefits, and retirement benefits. The Authority aims to reunite owners or their beneficiaries with these assets.

As of February 2025, the UFAA reported holding over KSh 82 billion in unclaimed assets. The Authority actively encourages Kenyans to check for unclaimed assets through its website or by dialing the USSD code *361#.

Claiming Process and Requirements

To claim unclaimed financial assets, an individual must typically submit a completed claim form (Form 4B for beneficiaries of deceased persons), a commissioned indemnity agreement (Form 5), an official letter from the asset holder confirming remittance to UFAA, a certified copy of their national ID or passport, and a copy of their KRA PIN certificate. For claims involving deceased persons, a death certificate and a Certificate of Confirmation of Grant or Certificate of Summary Administration are also required.

The UFAA reviews each claim within 90 days of submission and provides a written notice of its decision. If a claim is approved, the Authority will pay or deliver the assets to the claimant.

What to Watch

The 30-day notice period for objections to Ms. Bekelle's application will be a key period to watch. Any counterclaims could potentially lead to further legal proceedings regarding the administration of Fidel Odinga's unclaimed financial assets. The UFAA's offices are located at Pacis Centre, 2nd Floor, Slip Road, Off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi.