A child of a King always inherits their father’s riches, look at Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga, The koinage and the list will go on. Hoever this is not the case for Micheal Kijana Wamalwa’s children.
Michelle Wamalwa popularly known as Chichi and her brother Derrick knew joy, happiness and peace of mind were priceless gifts freely given by family when their parents Michael Wamalwa Kijana and Yvonne Nambia Wamalwa were alive.
However things changed for the worst when their parents died separately, 15 years apart, as relatives turned their backs against them with an intention of taking over all of their inheritance. Wamalwa died in August 2003 while Yvonne succumbed to cancer in January 2018. Chichi and Derrick whose bond has been cemented by tribulations meted on them by their relatives now have to pay to live peacefully and healthy.
“These happenings are taking a toll on my mental health just like it is happening to my brother. We survive on anti-depressants which help stabilise our mental and physical health,” Chichi said.
She accused his uncle, Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa of orchestrating the music of their misery by trampling on their inheritance rights courtesy of his authority.
Eugene denied the allegations and instead accused his nephew and niece of lying to the world.
“We could not come to the light and lie to the world. It is people in power who believe they can step on other people’s rights and take what is not theirs because we are small. This is the work of an uncle I happen to have,” said Chichi.
“We have slept hungry severally. I am out of school for a year and two months. My uncle lied to me to clear from school so that he gets me to Australia for studies in two weeks’ time but never fulfilled the pledge. The last time he told me to sell this house to get money to go to school,” she added.
Derrick’s situation is even complicated because the family of a man he knew and who had treated him as nothing less than his son has rejected him.
“My relationship with my father was good. My mother introduced him to me in 1994. He never sounded like a Kenyan and his intelligence and eloquence made him my source of influence. He called me son and never did he treat me like anything other than his son,” he said.
He said being branded a stranger was the most painful insult he could ever expect from his siblings and relatives. The two said they knew all love was lost in the family circle when their mother was denied access to medical cover by their paternal relatives when she was battling cancer.
“That side of family put injunctions on all assets and we could not get any benefit. We have depended on our maternal aunt and mum’s friends. It is lies that we want 75% of the family property, even the court cannot allow that. They are the ones who want everything,” Derrick said.
Chichi said her hope was hinged on the fact that they can still afford medication to keep their mental status stable since their siblings had resorted to threatening them. “It gets too hard to handle, only that we can sustain purchasing medicine. Without the anti-depressants I would not be here. My brother and aunt keep me grounded. They give me hope. My mum handled it while battling cancer I can try to hold on,” she said.
She wondered why her family would denounce Derrick yet they found him staying in the house with their father when the latter used to cater for their needs. “I don’t know what issues they had with my parent. My parents are now gone. I didn’t ask to be born or face these problems. It will be good if whoever is doing this shows us mercy,” Chichi said.
Derrick questioned why his elder sister known as Alice who claimed to be the administrator of the family estate could not lift some injunctions to help his sister continue with education but vowed to stand by his sister through the storm.
“I will never let anyone harm my sister. It is my job to protect her. My mother did the job just like my mother and I won’t regret taking care of her even if it causes me embarrassment. She’s only suffering because of people’s choices not her mistakes,” said Derrick.