An inheritance dispute of a Machakos family divided by grief and greed reached a boiling point in a Machakos High court on Thursday.

A stern warning was issued to four sons of the late Michael Mutiso by Lady Justice Esther Maina, who threatened them with jail term if they continued to defy court orders designed to safeguard the rights of their stepmother, Blanche Mutiso, and nephew, Sila Mutiso.

The ongoing succession battle has seen tension escalate as the four brothers Makenzie, Mutune, Washington, and Ndambuki Mutiso are accused of infringing upon the rights of Blanche and Sila in their management of the family estate.

This estate includes valuable property such as a coffee farm that has now become a focal point of the contentious legal dispute.

This week, Lady Justice Maina did not hold back her frustration as she addressed the brothers for their blatant disregard of court directives issued over a year ago.

The court had explicitly ordered that all beneficiaries, including Blanche and Sila, should have access to the property in question.

“There should be no eviction threats, interference, or destruction of property associated with the estate. Yet the brothers have continued to act as if the law does not apply to them.” Lady Justice Maina asserted.

Her fiery condemnation reflected the frustration of the legal system in dealing with families unable to resolve their differences amicably.

In an attempt to defend themselves, the Mutiso brothers stated that they had never received the original court directives.

However, Justice Maina was not convinced by their claims and ordered their advocate MS. Oduor to read the court’s original orders aloud in front of the courtroom effectively countering any arguments questioning the legitimacy of the orders and emphasizing the serious nature of the impasse.

The session served as a final warning to the brothers, giving them 40 days to comply with the court’s orders or risk imprisonment.

All involved parties are expected back in court on November 13^th 2025 to provide a status update regarding their compliance.

For Blanche and Sila Mutiso, the judge’s firm stance may signal a turning point in what has been an extremely bitter family feud, which has spilled onto the public stage through the legal system.