The late Archbishop Samson Gaitho
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 25 – The family of the late Archbishop Samson Gaitho of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) is engaged in a bitter row over property left behind by the deceased.
The first wife’s children stormed the home of the second wife in Ruiru demanding a title deed for a farm where their mother lives.
Bishop Gaitho’s eldest daughter Susan Mwangi said since the death of their father in July, the family had sought for the title deed from the younger wife in vain.
“The second wife who was married when I had four children and she five has a farm complete with a title deed. Why can’t my mother also get her right? All the title deeds are in her (second wife) house and that’s all we want,” the distraught daughter said.
Police had to intervene to calm the emotional family of Rebecca Wangare, the Bishop’s first wife, with her nine children.
Area Chief Joses Mtwiga said the process to entrust the property of the deceased Bishop between the two families had already began
“We are trying to unite the two families so that the law is used to divide the estate of the deceased. They cannot do it by fighting,” he said.
The late Archbishop succumbed to prostrate cancer in July, barely two weeks after handing over the top seat at the age of 76.
In his 12-year service as head of the Church, the late Archbishop Gaitho initiated many development projects including the AIPCA Theological College in Kamulu.
He had also actively participated in the interfaith Ufungamano initiative during the agitation for a new Constitution and also served as a commissioner and councillor in the Nairobi City Council.
The late Gaitho voluntarily stepped down as the leader of the AIPCA on health grounds and peacefully oversaw the handover to the new office.
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