A forensic audit ordered by an Eldoret court into the multi-billion-shilling estate of colonial paramount chief and teacher Kibor Arap Talai has failed to take off, further delaying a long-running inheritance dispute.
The issue was raised before Presiding Judge Reuben Nyakundi by one of the feuding parties battling for control of the estate, estimated at over Sh3.5 billion.
Court proceedings revealed that the deceased’s second wife, Irene Talai, allegedly barred a family-appointed auditor from accessing the disputed property, citing threats and intimidation. The auditor was reportedly forced to abandon the exercise and return to Eldoret for fear of his safety. The property in question borders Moi University’s main campus in Kesses Sub-county.
The audit had been ordered to establish all income-generating assets owned by the late tycoon to guide the court in fairly distributing the estate among beneficiaries.
Talai, who died in 2012 at the age of 95, was survived by two families. His first wife, the late Tapyotin Kibor, had five children, while his second wife, Irene, has three children. The estate includes vast agricultural land, commercial buildings in Eldoret and Iten, vehicles, farm equipment, and financial assets across Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
In her defence, Irene told the court she objected to the audit of assets allegedly gifted to her by the deceased, urging the auditor to first examine her co-wife’s estate.
However, Nancy Talai, a daughter from the first house and an administrator of the estate, accused Irene of interfering with the process and failing to account for millions collected as rent.
Justice Nyakundi expressed concern over the delay, urging administrators to provide leadership. The matter will be mentioned on April 7, 2026
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