Even in death, the law follows Justice David Majanja. The family of the late High Court judge is locked in a bitter succession dispute that has frozen his estate, leaving his elderly parents destitute despite their son leaving behind assets worth over Sh22 million.

The conflict centers on a will that allegedly bequeaths the bulk of Majanja’s estate—including bank savings, shares, and insurance benefits—to his youngest brother, Martin. This distribution has been fiercely contested by the judge’s sisters, who argue that the will unfairly excludes other siblings and concentrates control in one hand.

"We Are Suffering"

In a heartbreaking plea to the courts, Majanja’s father, Gerishom Majanja, accused the judiciary of taking him in "circles." [...](asc_slot://start-slot-7)He told the court that he and his wife were entirely dependent on the late judge for their medical bills and daily upkeep. "The money is there, but we cannot touch it," he lamented. "The judiciary, which my son served, is now causing us pain."

The father defends the will, stating that the judge trusted Martin to manage the funds responsibly for the benefit of the parents. However, the opposing siblings have filed objections, claiming the document may not reflect the true wishes of the deceased or that it violates the principles of equitable distribution under the Law of Succession.

• The Legal Gridlock: Until the court rules on the validity of the will, the funds remain locked in frozen accounts. Succession cases in Kenya are notorious for dragging on for years, a reality that now threatens to impoverish the parents of one of the country’s most respected jurists.
• A Public Spectacle: The dispute risks tarnishing the memory of a judge known for his fairness and modern interpretation of the law. As the family feuds in the very corridors where Majanja once presided, the case serves as a grim reminder that not even the arbiters of justice are immune to the chaos of inheritance.