A law firm owned by EARB Board Member Joel Kinyua Kathumbi, and who has been accused by a Mwingi widow of withholding a KSh 3 million compensation, has threatened to withdraw from the case, according to a letter exclusively obtained by Channel 15 News.
Joel Kinyua Kathumbi, a board member at the Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) and who operates as an advocate at Kinyua Mwaniki & Wainaina Advocates, has been accused by the widow of failing to remit the court-awarded funds following a fatal accident.
Channel 15 News traced the dispute through court documents, rulings, insurance remittance records, and letters, uncovering inconsistencies and delays that have fueled the conflict. Our investigations reveal that in October 2019, Directline Assurance Company Limited remitted KSh 1.5 million to the law firm under which Mr. Kathumbi was practising at the time, yet the funds have allegedly not reached the beneficiary.
The letter from Kinyua Mwaniki & Wainaina Advocates, dated 13th March 2026, was addressed to the widow’s new legal representatives.
It states that the firm does not agree with the proposals put forward and cites alleged misrepresentation and what it describes as a “smearing campaign” by the claimant, making continued representation untenable.
The firm confirmed it will calculate and deduct all fees due for work already done before handing over the matter, once formal written instructions are received from the claimant.
Despite this correspondence, the letter fails to clarify whether the widow will ultimately receive her full KSh 3 million compensation, leaving unanswered questions about the handling of the funds and the advocate’s responsibilities.
The original compensation award, totaling KSh 3,098,213, was issued in July 2019 by the Senior Principal Magistrates Court at Makindu following a fatal accident.
The dispute has drawn public interest due to Mr. Kathumbi’s position as a board member of EARB, a statutory regulator under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development. Observers note that the matter raises questions of fiduciary responsibility, disclosure obligations, and professional integrity, particularly under Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, which sets high standards for public officers.
Critics have questioned whether Mr. Kathumbi upheld his professional duty of care, citing delays in remitting the court-awarded funds and the ongoing dispute with the widow’s new legal team.
The case highlights the tension between private legal practice and public office responsibilities, raising concerns about accountability and adherence to ethical standards.
While the law firm has indicated it is withdrawing from the case, the widow’s legal representatives have not publicly responded. Channel 15 News continues to monitor the situation as part of its exclusive investigative coverage.
