In re Abbas Rajab Alli (Deceased) (Succession Cause E360 of 2023) [2024] KEKC 8 (KLR) (2 May 2024) (Judgment)

In re Abbas Rajab Alli (Deceased) (Succession Cause E360 of 2023) [2024] KEKC 8 (KLR) (2 May 2024) (Judgment) Neutral citation: [2024] KEKC 8 (KLR) Republic of Kenya In the Kadhis Court at Mombasa Succession Cause E360 of 2023 AH Athman, CK May 2, 2024 Between Neema Abbas Rajab Petitioner and Mariam Rajab Musa 1st Interested Party Fatuma Ali Mwakatengo 2nd Interested Party and Mariam Rajab Musa Interested Party Fatuma Ali Mwakatengo Interested Party Judgment 1.The petitioner prays for determination of estate and legal heirs of the deceased and distribution of estate to heirs according to Islamic law. 2.The petitioner deposed that the deceased was survived by mother, widow and two children, a son and a daughter and left death gratuity with his employer. 3.The late Abbas Rajabu Alli died on 2nd September, 2023 at Mombasa aged [55] years. 4.The 1st interested party, a sister to the deceased through Notice of Motion dated 8th January, 2024 prayed that the deceased daughter was born out of legal wedlock and therefore not a legal child or heir of the deceased and Wanza and Ramadhan who are not legal heirs received NSSF benefits of the deceased. The said notice of Motion had been filed after main proceedings had closed and the court had given a date for judgment. The judgment was arrested to pave way for hearing and determination of the application. In its ruling given on 29th February, 2024, the application was found to lack merit and was dismissed. 5.The issues for determination in this matter are:i.What constitutes the estate of the deceased hereinii.The legal heirs, their respective shares 6.The jurisdiction of this court in succession matters of estates of deceased Muslims is conferred by the [ Constitution](/akn/ke/act/2010/constitution) of Kenya [2010] Article 170 [5], Section 5 of the [Kadhi's court Act](/akn/ke/act/1967/14), Cap 11, and Sections 2 (3) and 48 [2] of the [Laws Of Succession Act](/akn/ke/act/1972/14), cap 160 and rules 164 (2) and (3) of the [Kadhis’ courts rules](/akn/ke/act/1967/14), 2020. 7.Upon consideration of the petition, depositions and annextures thereto and upon hearing the petitioner and witnesses the estate, heirs and their respective shares are as herein. 8.The deceased was an assistant Forman (gang Supervisor) with Kenya Ports Authority. His death gratuity and / or final benefits with his employer Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) constitute his estate. 9.The legal heirs of the late Abbas Rajab Alli are:i.Mwanahamisi Rajab Salim motherii.Fatuma Ali Mwakatengo widowiii.Neema Abbas Rajab daughteriv.Ramadhan Abbas Rajab son 10.The mother is entitled to one-sixth of the estate, the widow to one-eighth, the son to twice the share of the daughter under Q.4.12 and 11.The share of the mother = 16.67%The share of the widow = 12.5%The share of the son = 47.22%The share of the daughter = 23.61% 11.The Manager / CEO KPA to remit death gratuity/ final benefits of the deceased herein to Judiciary – Mombasa Law courts deposit Account for distribution to heirs according to Islamic law. Orders accordingly. **DATED AND DELIVERED AT MOMBASA ON 2 ND MAY, 2024****HON. ABDULHALIM H. ATHMAN****CHIEF KADHI** In the presence ofMs Khairat, Court assistantPetitioner. *[NSSF]: National Social Security Fund *[KPA]: Kenya Ports Authority *[CEO]: Chief executive officer