High Court of Kenya Issues Fresh Interim Orders in Escalating Kibor Estate Succession Dispute
“A temporary order of injunction is hereby issued restraining the defendant, either by himself, his servants, or agents, from engaging in any dealings concerning the disputed land,” ruled Hon. Sitati.

The Late Jackson Kiprotich Kibor.Image courtesy.
The long-running succession battle over the vast estate of the late Jackson Kiprotich Kibor has taken a dramatic new turn after the High Court of Kenya in Eldoret issued fresh interim orders. The legal proceedings, filed under case number HCFP&A/E049/2022, have brought to light deep-rooted family conflicts over land ownership and the management of Kibor’s multi-billion-shilling estate, including the disputed 143-hectare Uasin Gishu/Mafuta Settlement Scheme.
On January 29, 2025, Honorable Lady Justice Emily Ominde issued critical directives following an urgent application filed by the petitioners. The court certified the matter as urgent, ordering that the application be served to the respondents—Loise Kibor, Phillip Kimutai Kibor, Magdaline Kibor Barngetuny, and Albert Elodanga—within seven days, with a deadline of February 12, 2025. The respondents have been directed to file their responses within 14 days of service, no later than February 26, 2025.
In a significant interim measure, the court issued an order restraining the respondents and their representatives from trespassing, surveying, subdividing, or otherwise altering the status of the disputed land. Justice Ominde underscored the importance of maintaining the estate’s integrity during the legal process, stating, “The court has a duty to ensure that the rights of all beneficiaries are protected until the matter is fully determined. Any actions that could alter the status quo risk prejudicing the interests of rightful heirs.”
Parallel Court Orders Escalate Legal Tensions
In a related case, on January 20, 2025, Hon. S.D. Sitati, Senior Resident Magistrate, issued separate interim orders following an application filed under a certificate of urgency by advocate Milka Cheptinga. The court issued a temporary injunction restraining the defendant from cultivating, leasing, selling, or conducting any dealings on Mafuta Farm Settlement Scheme Plot No. 1 pending an inter partes hearing scheduled for February 4, 2025.
“A temporary order of injunction is hereby issued restraining the defendant, either by himself, his servants, or agents, from engaging in any dealings concerning the disputed land,” ruled Hon. Sitati. The court directed the plaintiffs to serve the order promptly, with the defendant required to file a response within 14 days.
Forgery Allegations Rock the Succession Case
The legal battle took a dramatic turn on April 17, 2024, when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that the will of the late Jackson Kibor had been forged. The forensic investigation was ordered by the court to determine the authenticity of the will presented in court by Euniter Kibor, Kibor’s fourth wife.
According to the DCI’s forensic report, the alleged forgery occurred on February 27, 2021, outside the Environment and Land Court in Eldoret. Key documents examined included lease agreements, land transfer records, and sale agreements dating as far back as 1994. The analysis revealed clear discrepancies when compared with verified samples of Kibor’s handwriting and signature, leading to the conclusion that the will was indeed forged. The act constitutes a criminal offense under Section 350 of the Penal Code.
Family Calls for Unity Amid Legal Battles
Amid the escalating legal conflict, members of the Kibor family have called for unity and an amicable resolution. Speaking to Hubz Media, Loise Kibor, a key respondent in the case, disclosed that many of her father’s movable assets had already been sold before his passing, allegedly by Euniter Kibor, who had presented the disputed will.
“Many assets were disposed of before my father’s death,” Loise explained. “However, we’re now focused on ensuring a fair division of what remains, with representation for all of his wives and children. This isn’t just about property—it’s about respecting our father’s legacy.”
Loise also dismissed Euniter Kibor’s claims of being disinherited from the Mafuta Farm, stating that the 300-acre farm was never subdivided and had always been leased out by their father. “For the 21 years she was with our father, he built her a house at Chepkoilel. None of the family members were residing on the Mafuta Farm, which she now claims to be evicted from,” Loise said.
A Legacy at Stake
The succession dispute dates back to March 17, 2022, when Jackson Kibor passed away at the age of 88. A prominent Uasin Gishu farmer, businessman, and politician, Kibor left behind an estate estimated to be worth over Ksh 16 billion. The conflict intensified when Euniter Kibor presented the now-discredited will, claiming substantial portions of the estate. This triggered a formal petition from other family members, leading to the court-ordered forensic investigation that confirmed the forgery.
In January 2024, Justice Reuben Nyakundi directed the DCI to conduct an in-depth forensic analysis of the contested will, which played a pivotal role in uncovering the fraudulent activity.
Hope for Reconciliation
Despite the ongoing legal wrangles, the Kibor family is now seeking to resolve the dispute amicably. They are preparing to propose an equitable division of the estate, guided by the late patriarch’s values of fairness and integrity.
“Our father wanted us to be united, and that is what we intend to do now,” Loise affirmed. “This is a difficult time, but we are committed to finding a solution that respects his legacy and ensures that no family member feels sidelined.”
With the courts having played their role in exposing the truth, there is renewed hope that the family will find closure and peace, bringing an end to a saga that has gripped the nation’s attention.