[2025] KEHC 1308 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had lawfully purchased the subject motor vehicle at a public auction conducted pursuant to distress for rent, paid the full purchase price, and provided all requisite documents for transfer except a vesting order. The respondent, despite being served, failed to oppose the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2025] KEHC 1308 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Dhahabu Adan Abdi; Respondent: Director, National Transport and Safety Authority
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kiambu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application E246 of 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Chamber Summons for Vesting Order
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- DO Chepkwony
- Legal Topics
- Vesting Orders, Transfer of Motor Vehicles, Distress for Rent, Public Auction, Duplicate Logbook
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Dhahabu Adan Abdi
Applicant
Director, National Transport and Safety Authority
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Chamber Summons for Vesting Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to a vesting order to compel the respondent to transfer the subject motor vehicle to her name.
- 2 Whether the applicant has satisfied the legal requirements for transfer of ownership following a public auction under distress for rent.
- 3 Whether the respondent is obligated to issue a duplicate logbook in the applicant's name.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had lawfully purchased the subject motor vehicle at a public auction conducted pursuant to distress for rent, paid the full purchase price, and provided all requisite documents for transfer except a vesting order. The respondent, despite being served, failed to oppose the application or attend the hearing. The court was satisfied that the applicant had met all legal requirements for transfer of ownership and that the absence of opposition further supported granting the orders. Accordingly, the court issued a vesting order compelling the respondent to transfer the vehicle and issue a duplicate logbook in the applicant's name. Costs were ordered to be in...
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- A vesting order is issued compelling the Director of National Transport and Safety Authority to transfer Motor Vehicle Registration Number KBH 883L Subaru Forester to the applicant.
- The Director of National Transport and Safety Authority is ordered to issue a duplicate logbook of the motor vehicle in the applicant's name.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
Abdi v Director, National Transport and Safety Authority (Miscellaneous Civil Application E246 of 2024) [2025] KEHC 1308 (KLR) (30 January 2025) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2025] KEHC 1308 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Kiambu
Miscellaneous Civil Application E246 of 2024
DO Chepkwony, J
January 30, 2025
Between
Dhahabu Adan Abdi
Applicant
and
Director, National Transport and Safety Authority
Respondent
Ruling
1. The Applicant moved the court through Chamber Summons Application dated 20th December, 2024 filed under Certificate of Urgency seeking the following orders:a.Spent.b.This court be pleased to issue a vesting order to compel the Director of National Transport And Safety Authority (NTSA) to transfer Motor Vehicle Registration Number KBH 883L Subaru Forester to the Applicant and to issue the Applicant with a duplicate logbook of the Motor Vehicle in her name.c.That costs of this application be provided for.
2. The Application is based on the grounds as set out on the face of it and the Supporting Affidavit of the Applicant Dhahabu Adan Abdi sworn on the instant date. According to the Applicant, she purchased the subject Motor Vehicle Registration No. KBH 883L, Subaru Forester, which belonged to one Evan Kimani Kamande through public auction on 3rd August,2024, organised by Moran Auctioneers who had attached it pursuant to instructions of Sameg Management Limited for distress for rent. The Applicant contends that she was the highest bidder and she paid the entire amount of Kshs. 315,000/=, being the price of the said Motor Vehicle.
3. The Applicant holds that she has availed all the requisite documents required by the Respondent to facilitate transfer to herself following a successful distress for rent auction except a vesting order which she now seeks. The Applicant contends that she is heavily expectant and urgently requires the motor vehicle to be transferred and registered in her name to aid her mobility and for use to hospital for delivery of her child. She thus urges the court to allow the application.
4. The matter came up for interpartes hearing as directed by the court and the Respondent and or its counsel had neither filed a response or attended court despite having been served with the application and hearing notice as per court direction. A return of service to confirm this, was sworn on 17th January, 2025 and filed.
5. The Applicant then urged the court to find the application unopposed and grant the orders sought therein.
6. In the circumstances, the Chamber Summons application dated 20th December, 2024, be and is hereby allowed in the following terms as presented:a.Avesting order be and is hereby issued to compel the Director of National Transport And Safety Authority (NTSA) to transfer Motor Vehicle Registration Number KBH 883L Subaru Forester to the Applicant.b.The Director of National Transport And Safety Authority (NTSA) be and is hereby ordered to issue a duplicate logbook of the Motor Vehicle in the Applicant’s name.c.Costs to be in the cause.
It is so ordered.
RULING DELIVERED VIRTUALLY, DATED AND SIGNED AT KIAMBU THIS 30TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2025. D.O CHEPKWONYJUDGEIn the presence of:Ms. Radol Counsel for ApplicantMartin – Court Assistant