The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) has released a new gazette notice listing 67 Kenyans with unclaimed financial assets, among them the late Fidel Castro Odinga, son of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The notice, dated October 16, 2025, invites relatives and legal administrators to claim the assets within 30 days before payment is finalized.
According to UFAA, the notice complies with Regulation 12 of the Unclaimed Financial Assets Regulations (2016), which allows claimants to file for recovery of dormant funds held in financial institutions, investment firms, and insurance companies. If no objections are raised within the notice period, the listed claims will be processed and released to the rightful administrators.
Fidel Odinga’s Estate Listed with Gulf African Bank
Among the most notable names on the list is Fidel Castro Odinga, whose estate is represented by his widow, Lwam Getachew Bekele. The unclaimed assets are held by Gulf African Bank Limited, as stated in the gazette notice. Fidel, who died in January 2015, left behind several investments and real estate properties, some of which have since become the subject of estate administration.
The UFAA notice emphasizes that payment will only be made after verifying the authenticity of the claims. It also warns that any objections or disputes regarding ownership must be filed within the 30-day window.
Other Notable Individuals with Unclaimed Assets
The list also features several prominent and ordinary Kenyans whose funds are held by various financial entities. These include:
- Roshan Sultanali Kassam Jinnah, with Diamond Trust Bank as the holder.
- Michael Mwaura Gatuguta, represented by Esther Nyambura Gatuguta, with assets at Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
- Wallis Fredrick Hime, whose assets are held by East African Breweries Plc.
- Ramaben Chandrakant Shah, listed under Bank of India.
Multiple claims are being managed by public trustees and deputy county commissioners, reflecting estates of deceased individuals without direct family representatives.
About the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA)
The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority is a statutory agency established under the Unclaimed Financial Assets Act, 2011, with the mandate to receive, safeguard, and reunite dormant or forgotten assets with their rightful owners. These may include uncashed cheques, dormant bank accounts, unpaid dividends, insurance benefits, and other financial instruments.
UFAA periodically publishes gazette notices to alert the public of such unclaimed funds and provide a clear framework for recovery. Individuals or their legal administrators are required to provide proof of identity, succession documentation, and supporting evidence before any release of funds.
The Legacy of Fidel Odinga
Fidel Odinga, born in 1973, was the eldest son of Raila Odinga and Ida Odinga. A businessman and investor, Fidel owned multiple real estate properties, including a residence at Tipuana Park in Karen, a parcel of land in Dalalekutuk, Kajiado County, and two others in Kisumu County — one in Kanyawegi and another in Othany.
He also held shares in private firms, including Axum Investments Limited and Ambesa Investments Limited, with 250 shares in each. His widow, Lwam Getachew Bekele, continues to manage parts of the estate, which includes assets held in Kenyan banks and investment companies.
Fidel’s untimely death in January 2015 at his home in Karen, Nairobi, shocked the nation. While the cause of death was never publicly disclosed, his passing remains a subject of deep reflection within Kenya’s political and social circles.
The latest UFAA listing provides his family an opportunity to reclaim dormant assets linked to his estate and serves as a reminder for Kenyans to regularly audit and update their financial records.
