Battle Over John Keen’s Will Explodes into Courtroom Drama

A fierce legal war has erupted within the family of the late veteran politician John Keen, threatening to rip apart the legacy he left behind. His Sh13 billion estate is now at the center of an ugly courtroom brawl involving accusations of forgery, betrayal, and conflict of interest.

Victoria Naishorua Keen, his first daughter, has taken bold steps to challenge the authenticity of the will that dictates how the wealth should be shared.

Claiming the document is fake, she is demanding a fresh distribution of assets, pitching Keen’s polygamous family into a high-stakes succession battle now being watched across Kenya.

The battle over John Keen’s will is a stark reminder of the dangers of unresolved estate planning in polygamous families. What was supposed to be a smooth succession plan has turned into a public brawl filled with forgery claims, disputed loyalties, and high-powered legal fights. [Photo: Courtesy]

Family Feud Heats Up Over John Keen’s Will

The war over John Keen’s will is officially in court, and it is nothing short of explosive. Victoria Naishorua Keen, the first daughter of the late former assistant minister, has filed a case in the High Court in Milimani, Nairobi, alleging that the will used to manage her father’s vast estate is a forgery.

At the heart of her petition is a demand that the Sh13 billion estate not be distributed based on the disputed document.

Instead, she wants the wealth shared under intestacy laws—as though John Keen died without a will—or any other fair method that does not rely on the document she insists is fraudulent.

Through her lawyers, Senior Counsel Philip Murgor and Eva Kala, Ms Naishorua says the will is a carefully orchestrated lie meant to exclude certain rightful heirs and benefit others through fraud.

She also questions how such a critical document could be accepted as valid without deeper scrutiny, especially given what she claims are glaring irregularities in its preparation and execution.

Law Firm at the Center of Controversy

The legal drama doesn’t stop at the will. Ms Naishorua is also going after Ngeri, Omiti & Bush Advocates, a law firm she accuses of conflict of interest and unethical conduct.

According to her, this firm has been involved in representing different sides of the same case, a move that raises serious legal and moral questions.

She says the firm had previously acted on behalf of the estate’s executors, including Justice Isaac Lenaola, lawyer Maina Wachira, Keen’s widow Rosemary Sanau, and Pamela Soila. However, the same firm now represents Ms Sanau, who is a key beneficiary of the disputed will.

Naishorua claims that the law firm was not only helping execute estate transactions but was also directly involved in questionable dealings, including the transfer of properties from the late politician’s estate to unknown third parties.

She argues that the firm’s senior partner had a hand in commissioning affidavits for the disputed transactions and even prepared affidavits for lawyer Maina Wachira—now deceased—who supported the contested will. She wants the court to disqualify the firm entirely from the proceedings.

A Legacy in Crisis

John Keen was a respected political figure known for championing Maasai rights and environmental conservation. His death left behind a large and complex family structure, including multiple wives and children, which makes the estate battle even more tangled.

So far, the dispute has exposed just how fragile such a legacy can become in the absence of unity and trust among heirs. Instead of a peaceful succession, the Keen family finds itself in a storm of allegations, secret deals, and courtroom showdowns.

The stakes are enormous. With billions in property, land, businesses, and other assets on the line, each side appears ready to fight to the bitter end. But the greater tragedy may be the public unraveling of a family name once associated with dignity, service, and national pride.

As the court prepares to rule on whether the will stands or falls, the eyes of the country are watching. If the court sides with Naishorua and declares the will a forgery, it could open the door to more legal chaos, counterclaims, and possible criminal investigations.

And if it doesn’t? Expect further appeals, even deeper family rifts, and a long legal battle that could tie up the estate for years.