Chepkoech Too Secures Inheritance: Eldoret Court Confirms Paternity in Mark Too Estate Battle
In a landmark ruling, the Eldoret High Court has upheld DNA test results confirming that Chepkoech Too is the biological daughter of the late influential KANU-era politician Mark Too, paving the way for her to inherit a share of his estimated Sh7 billion estate.
Mark Too, a nominated MP and close ally of former President Daniel arap Moi, passed away in 2016, leaving behind a vast fortune including properties in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret, as well as significant financial assets. Chepkoech, who claimed to have been sired out of wedlock, had been disowned by Too's widows, Mary and Sophie, prompting a prolonged legal dispute over her inclusion among the beneficiaries.The court's decision, announced today, resolves years of contention and underscores the role of scientific evidence in succession matters.
The case dates back to 2017 when succession proceedings began, with Chepkoech filing an application in February 2022 for DNA tests to prove her paternity after being excluded from the estate distribution. Justice Eric Ogola ordered sibling DNA tests in September 2022, requiring samples from Too's six acknowledged children to be compared with Chepkoech's at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Despite initial resistance from the family, the tests were conducted, and the results, now upheld, affirm her biological link to the deceased. Chepkoech supported her claim with a birth certificate listing Too as her father, photographs of her mother with him, and evidence of prior interactions with her half-siblings and attendance at his funeral.
This ruling not only grants Chepkoech a rightful share in the multi-billion estate but also highlights evolving legal standards in Kenya regarding inheritance for children born out of wedlock. It sets a precedent for using DNA evidence to ensure equitable distribution, potentially influencing similar disputes amid cultural and familial tensions. With the estate's value pegged at Sh7 billion, encompassing land, vehicles, and bank holdings, the decision could lead to a redistribution among all confirmed heirs, emphasizing justice over traditional denials of paternity.
