Arsonists set ex-Malava MP Soita Shitanda’s sugarcane plantation on fire

Unknown arsonists believed to be former workers on the disputed farm of the late Housing minister Soita Shitanda shitanda have a blaze tens of acres of sugarcane plantation allegedly to protest delayed payments.

The sugarcane is believed to be property of the children of the late minister and unconfirmed reports indicate that workers, over the past few months, have been overheard complaining of not being paid after working on the said farm.

The farm, situated in Bungoma’s Kabuyefwe, is owned by Kabras Farm and has an ongoing active dispute with the late minister’s wife, Glorious Betty Soita on one side and a director of the company, George Malumasi, on the other.

This happens as the family is also entangled in another succession battle where it is claimed Betty Soita wants to lock out the children whom the late minister sired with one Agnes Nduku.

In court case 1520 of 2016 in the matter of of Peter Soita Shitanda (Deceased), the widow while giving her testimony on October 15, 2024 expressly disowned the children of Nduku, who was considered as Shitanda’s second wife.

The widow informed the court that he did not recognise Candy Soita and Brandy Soita as children of her late husband even though she admitted that he used to take care of them including paying school fees untill his demise.

In the case, Candy, who is now based in the United States, presented her evidence pleading with the court to recognise her and her brother as part of lawful beneficiaries while at the same time seeking to be made co-administrators, a request Betty opposed.

Candy maintained that Soita Shitanda was his biological father and had known that throughout her life.

In the evidence she tendered in court Betty, her son Terrence Shitanda, and brother in-law Ngaira Shitanda, sought the exclusion of the late minister’s other children to benefit from their late father’s wealth.

Candy and Brandy presented evidence of their birth certificates bearing the name of their father as Peter Soita Shitanda, further providing receipts of school fees that their father paid for them throughout until his demise in 2016.

The matter is set for ruling on 11th February 2025.