The curse of Kenya’s affluent dynasties has struck again. The family of the late former Attorney General James Karugu is embroiled in a vicious internecine war, with his children now facing criminal charges in a spectacle that has shocked the legal fraternity. The Milimani Law Courts became the stage for a family tragedy as Jane Wangechi, Eric Mwaura, and Benjamin Githara stood in the dock, charged with conspiracy to defraud their own blood.

The charges center on the alleged forgery of share transfer forms for Victoria Namura Karugu, a family holding company. Prosecutors argue that the accused orchestrated a scheme to unlawfully transfer shares, effectively disinheriting other beneficiaries. The siblings have pleaded not guilty, released on a Ksh 1.5 million bond, but the damage to the family name is already done. The case exposes the dark underbelly of succession in Kenya, where the passing of a patriarch often signals the beginning of a civil war.

"Greed and Betrayal"

James Karugu, a man who served as Kenya’s chief legal advisor with distinction, left behind a legacy of integrity. That his estate has become a crime scene is a bitter irony. "It is a case of pure greed," a source close to the family whispered. "The old man worked for decades to build this wealth, and before his grave is even settled, the vultures are circling." The dispute involves prime real estate and significant shareholdings, assets that have turned siblings into sworn enemies.

• The Legal Labyrinth: The case is set for pre-trial directions today, but it is likely to drag on for years. Succession battles in Kenya are notorious for their longevity, often outliving the litigants themselves. With criminal charges now in the mix, the stakes have been raised from a civil dispute to a fight for freedom.
• A National Trend: The Karugu case is not unique. From the Koinanges to the Kibakis, the inability of Kenya’s elite to manage succession without litigation is a national malaise. It points to a failure of estate planning and a culture where entitlement often trumps hard work.

The Final Verdict

As the Karugu siblings leave the court, shielding their faces from the cameras, the tragedy is complete. The wealth intended to secure their future has instead become the instrument of their destruction. The court will decide on the forgery, but the verdict on the family bond has already been delivered: broken beyond repair.