A woman is in court contesting the wishes and interests of her deceased aunt regarding a Sh100 million estate owned by German tycoon Joseph Leitmann, who was their shared husband.

Although the court ruled that Lucy Wanjiku and her aunt Susan Nyambura were both co-widows of Leitmann, Wanjiku insists that after her death on February 5, 2025, Nyambura will have no claim to the estate.

On Monday, Wanjiku through her lawyer, disputed the claim that Nyambura had a daughter who was supposed to substitute for her in the succession dispute that has been in court since 2001.

She submitted before Justice Julius Nangea that Nyambura’s claim could not be survived by any other person.

“Even if Nyambura’s lawyer wants to replace her with an alleged dependent, may it go on record that she did not have any children,” submitted Wanjiku through her lawyer.

She added that Nyambura’s claim to the estate as a wife died with her.

On her part, Nyambura’s lawyer Judith Kamoing submitted that Wanjiku had frustrated Nyambura to her death.

“My client was recognized as a widow to Leitmann and on October 12, 2023, the court ordered that they equally share the estate. The order has been defined for over 15 months,” deposed Kamoing.

Kamoing protested that Nyambura’s plea for the estate to be distributed quickly in order for her to get money to facilitate her deteriorating health was ignored.

She insisted that Nyambura had a child who depended on her and the child had the right to replace her.

She pointed out that Wanjiku blocked Nyambura’s burial in their husband’s matrimonial home.

“Relatives were forced to bury Nyambura in one of her cousin’s places,” she deposed.

Nangea sympathised with Kamoing but directed that she file a reply to an application by Wanjiku, seeking to stay the execution of the judgment.

Nyambura who died aged 73, was buried on February 13, in Karachua village, 15km from Leitmann’s 21-acre land in Free Area estate where she had wished to be buried.

Nyambura and Wanjiku were both declared widows to Leitmann by Justice Hillary Chemitei on October 12, 2023, and were directed to share his estate.

The dispute began in 2001 after Leitmann died. Court records show that Nyambura was chased out of the main house and she was forced to live in servant quarters.

In 2017, Wanjiku obtained an eviction order against Nyambura after she filed a case in court, claiming she was the only surviving widow.

A case ensued and Nyambura submitted that she was unable to have children, adopted Wanjiku and stayed with her at Leitmann’s house since her parents were unable to cater for her needs.

However, she said that after Wanjiku came of age, she got into a relationship with Leitmann and they had children.

Nyambura said she left the house but was recalled by Leitmann when Wanjiku went abroad. However, on August 3, 2001, Leitmann died.

In response, Wanjiku claimed that Nyambura was not her co-wife but she was only a house help.

In December 2024, the court gave Wanjiku 14 days to distribute the estate after Kamoing complained of Nyambura’s health. The same was ignored.

Leitmann left behind 5,178 acres of land, houses, hotels, vehicles, boreholes, machinery, businesses and 2,000 shares in Ukingoni Farm Ltd.

The case will be mentioned on June 25.