Former Defense minister and Kiambaa MP Njenga Karume had a Sh357 million debt at the time of his death despite being worth more than Sh40 billion.
His estate trustees said on Tuesday that the debt includes unpaid taxes and other arrears.
His son Albert Kigera told Justice Roselyne Aburili at the High Court in Milimani that before his father died, tax arrears had accumulated to about Sh200 million.
Kigera also said six-month rent arrears under Karume Holdings were outstanding at Sh22.7 million before his death on February 24, 2012.
The battle for Karume’s wealth started as a normal, procedural inheritance case when the executors of his will filed an application for letters of grant to enable the distribution of the properties.
However, three of Karume’s children —Lucy Wanjiru, Albert Kigera and Samuel Wanjema — challenged their father’s last will, claiming it was drawn when he was not of sound mind.
Kigera said as a director, he wants all bank borrowings stopped because they are of no value. He pointed out Jacaranda Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi, Indian Ocean Beach Resort in Mombasa and Lake Elementaita Lodge in Nakuru, under Jacaranda Holdings.
Karume died in 2012, leaving behind mega investments in tourism, real estate, agriculture, transport, hospitality and several bank accounts with large sums of money all which turned into a family court battle.