Two of former Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut’s widows have dragged the first wife to court, fighting over his Sh400 million estate. Nearly four years after Chepkut died suddenly, Dassie Ambassie and Betsy Birgen accuse Milcah Jepngetich of locking them out of the succession process, hiding assets, and attempting to sell properties without their consent.
The feud now threatens the stability of Chepkut’s multi-million-shilling empire and puts the financial security of his six children at risk. Mediation failed, leaving the case before the Eldoret High Court.
Widows Move to Court Over Chepkut’s Sh400m Empire
Dassie and Betsy allege that Milcah has excluded them from managing Chepkut’s Sh400m empire. The estate includes agricultural land in Uasin Gishu County, two hotels near Eldoret City, residential houses in Nairobi’s Riverside and Wetlands areas, and prime plots in Eldoret.
Through their lawyer, Ndegwa Kiroku, the widows told Justice Reuben Nyakundi that Milcah tried to sell the Marriott Hotel along the Eldoret-Kapsabet highway, valued at Sh85 million, while the succession case remains pending. They also claim Milcah sold a treatment plant in Kaptagat and kept the money without involving them.
Kiroku said his clients face serious financial strain. “My client struggles to pay school fees for her two children. One of them, entering Grade 10, risks being sent home due to unpaid fees,” he said. He added that the late MP’s parliamentary pension remains frozen at the National Assembly, worsening the widows’ hardship.
First Wife Rejects Claims
Milcah strongly denied the accusations. Her lawyer, Diana Ndirangu, told the court that Milcah jointly owned the properties with Chepkut and Dassie and Betsy have no claim. Milcah dismissed allegations of attempting to sell the Marriott Hotel as baseless. She called the two widows “strangers” to the estate.
“The properties I held with my husband were jointly acquired. Anyone else claiming a share acts out of order,” Milcah told the court. She said her marriage to Chepkut in a church ceremony 28 years ago gives her full rights over the estate. Milcah stressed that she manages the estate until the court completes lawful succession.
Court Sets Stage for Full Hearing
With mediation efforts failing, the Eldoret High Court will determine the fate of Chepkut’s Sh400m empire. Justice Nyakundi scheduled the next hearing for February 10, 2026. Dassie and Betsy want the court to stop Milcah from selling estate properties and to grant them access to their share of the inheritance.
The case exposes the challenges of succession disputes in polygamous families, particularly when estates involve millions of shillings. Beyond family tensions, the feud shows gaps in managing assets left by high-profile politicians. Chepkut’s children risk losing their inheritance and stability while the public watches the drama over their father’s empire unfold.
