Nairobi, Aug. 17 -- The deaths of prominent Kenyans have often been followed by bitter and prolonged court battles as beneficiaries fight over multimillion-shilling estates.

The succession dispute over the estate of former minister Mbiyu Koinange, who died in 1981, has dragged on for more than four decades, with beneficiaries yet to reach an agreement.

Former minister Njenga Karume died in 2014, but it was not until last year that the court confirmed the grant in the succession case involving his estate.

Families of former intelligence chief James Kanyotu, former Assistant Minister Gerishon Kirima and politician John Keen have also been embroiled in protracted succession disputes.

The cases have raised recurring questions about contes...