The High Court has delivered a knockout blow to Margaret Chweya, the US-based woman seeking a slice of the multi-billion shilling estate of the late Simeon Nyachae. Justice Eric Ogola dismissed her petition, ruling that she failed to prove she was ever married to the powerful Gusii kingpin.

The judgment draws the curtain on a sensational legal drama that has captivated the country. Chweya had claimed she was Nyachae’s "secret wife" and that her two sons were his biological children, demanding recognition and a share of the inheritance. The court, however, found her evidence—consisting mostly of photos and anecdotes—insufficient to meet the legal threshold for marriage.

"Photos Are Not Proof"

"The burden of proof lies with the accuser," Justice Ogola stated in his ruling. "Standing next to a public figure in a photograph does not constitute a marriage under the laws of Kenya. There was no evidence of dowry, no customary rites, and no civil registration. The claim fails in its entirety."

The judge also ruled that Chweya's sons could not be listed as dependents of the Nyachae estate because their biological fathers are alive. This finding effectively shuts the door on any claim to the empire Nyachae built over decades of public service and business.

• Family Vindicated: For the recognized family of Simeon Nyachae, led by Charles Nyachae, the ruling is a vindication. They have maintained a dignified silence, insisting that their father was a man of order who would not have left a wife and children destitute or undocumented.
• The Estate: Nyachae’s estate, spanning agriculture, banking, and real estate, is one of the most valuable in Kenya. This ruling allows the executors to proceed with the distribution of assets without the cloud of litigation hanging over them.

The Diaspora Angle

The case highlights the complexities of succession laws involving the diaspora. Chweya’s attempt to litigate from the US, relying on remote claims, failed to withstand the rigorous scrutiny of the Kenyan judicial system.

Margaret Chweya now faces the burden of legal costs. Her quest for recognition has ended not with a share of the billions, but with a judicial rebuke that affirms the sanctity of documented marriage and the protection of estates from opportunistic claims.