SUCCESSION: Why Jonathan Moi’s 19 Alleged Children Must Undergo DNA Paternity Test in Multi-Billion Estate Dispute
Last Updated on August 1, 2025 by Turkana County News Online
The High Court has directed that 19 individuals claiming to be children of the late Jonathan Moi undergo DNA testing, amid a succession battle over his share of former President Daniel arap Moi’s vast estate.
Justice Eric Ogola issued the order after some beneficiaries challenged the legitimacy of the 19 claimants, insisting that only biological descendants of the former President should inherit. The court ruled that kinship DNA tests be carried out at Lancet Laboratories or Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Jonathan Moi, also known as JT Moi, died in April 2019 and was buried at his farm in Kabimoi, Eldama Ravine. His widow, Sylvia, was initially granted temporary authority to manage the estate to settle debts, pending a final ruling. The family later appointed administrators representing each of Jonathan’s four spouses.
Sylvia and her son, Clint Kiprono Moi, had sought to nullify an earlier court order issued in August 2023, which had formally recognized the 19 children as beneficiaries. The judge declined to quash the order but allowed the DNA test request to proceed.
The late President Moi’s will, confirmed by the court in April 2025, allocates his estate equally among his five sons—Jonathan, Raymond, Gideon, Philip, and John Mark—each receiving 20% of four properties and two bank accounts held at Access Bank (formerly Transnational Bank) and Standard Chartered Bank.
The estate includes over 931 hectares (2,300 acres) of land in Kabarak, parcels in Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, and Nairobi (L.R No. 209/14697), along with land in Moi’s Bridge. As per Moi’s instructions, the ancestral land is to be shared equally among the sons and later transferred to their children.
The will also provided KSh 100 million to each of his three daughters: Jenifer Chemutai, Doris Chepkorir, and the late June Chebet.
The matter is scheduled for further mention on November 25, when the court will receive updates on the DNA testing process and any arising applications.