As Kenya mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, fresh details have emerged surrounding his late son Fidel Odinga’s estate, after his widow Lwam Getachew Bekelle applied to manage his unclaimed financial assets.
The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) announced the development through a gazette notice dated Friday, October 17, revealing that Bekelle had filed to be recognized as the administrator of Fidel’s assets.
Read the official UFAA Gazette Notice here
Lwam Bekelle Seeks Control of Fidel’s Estate
According to the UFAA notice, Lwam Bekelle is among several applicants who have filed claims for unclaimed assets belonging to deceased individuals.
The Authority specified that unless any valid objections are raised within 30 days, the assets will be transferred to the approved administrators.
“The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority has received claims for unclaimed assets from the following persons, claiming as administrators of the estates of deceased persons and agents of the original owners,” read part of the notice.
If no counterclaims are submitted within the set timeframe, the assets — held under Gulf African Bank Limited — will be formally released to Lwam.
Fidel Odinga’s Legacy and Estate Battles
Fidel Odinga, the eldest son of Raila Odinga, married Lwam Bekelle in 2012, and the couple had one child, Allay Odinga. Their marriage ended in 2014, just a year before Fidel’s death in January 2015.
In 2022, the Odinga family resolved a long-running legal battle over Fidel’s estate.
A court confirmed that Lwam Bekelle and Raila Odinga Junior would serve as co-administrators of the estate, which includes property valued at approximately KSh 40 million — spanning land, vehicles, and several bank accounts.
Related: Raila Odinga’s political legacy and family influence
Family Tensions and Absence at Raila’s Funeral
Notably, both Lwam Bekelle and her son Allay were absent from Raila Odinga’s funeral, a detail that drew public attention given the renewed estate developments.
Sources close to the family linked their absence to ongoing estate management issues and strained family relations.
The development has reignited public interest in the Odinga family’s inheritance saga, which has over the years blended politics, family, and property in one of Kenya’s most influential dynasties.
What Happens Next
Under UFAA procedures, any individual contesting the claim has 30 days from the date of notice to file an objection. If none are received, the unclaimed assets will be released to Lwam Bekelle as the recognized administrator.
The move could mark another milestone in finalizing the management of Fidel Odinga’s estate, years after his untimely passing.
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