[2007] KEHC 986 (KLR)
The court found that the land parcel Ngariama/Rungeto/154 was registered in the name of the deceased, Hesbon Njagi Wambugu, subject to the life interest of his mother, Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe. The green card and registration history confirmed that the protestor was granted a life interest in the entire parcel upon...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2007] KEHC 986 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Alice Mumbi Njagi; Respondent: Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Embu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Succession Application 88 of 2005
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Application / Ruling on Confirmation of Grant and Protest
- Outcome
- Application for confirmation of grant in respect of Ngariama/Rungeto/154 dismissed.
- Legal Topics
- Confirmation of Grant, Life Interest, Succession of Land, Administrator Powers
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Alice Mumbi Njagi
Applicant
Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Application / Ruling on Confirmation of Grant and Protest
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to confirmation of grant in respect of land parcel Ngariama/Rungeto/154.
- 2 Whether the protestor's life interest in the land precludes its distribution at this stage.
- 3 Whether the sale of the land by the applicant was valid given the protestor's life interest.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the land parcel Ngariama/Rungeto/154 was registered in the name of the deceased, Hesbon Njagi Wambugu, subject to the life interest of his mother, Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe. The green card and registration history confirmed that the protestor was granted a life interest in the entire parcel upon succession from her late husband. As such, the applicant, despite being the administrator, could not seek confirmation of grant or distribute the land while the protestor's life interest subsisted. The court held that the land was not available for distribution until the termination of the protestor's life interest, and any purported sale or distribution by the applicant was not...
Court Disposition
Application for confirmation of grant in respect of Ngariama/Rungeto/154 dismissed.
Orders
- The application for confirmation of grant as regards parcel Ngariama/Rungeto/154 is dismissed.
- No order as to costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
29 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT EMBU
Succession 88 of 2005
IN THE MATTER OF ESTATEOF HESBON NJAGI WAMBUGU….............DECEASED
AND
ALICE MUMBI NJAGI………………………………………….…….............…PETITIONER
VERSUS
GLADYS WANJIRU NJONJWE………………………..…....…............……..PROTESTOR
RULING
Before the court there is an application in Form 108 for the confirmation of grant filed by Alice Mwimbi Njagi. She is the administrator of deceased. In support of summons for confirmation she has filed affidavit sworn on the same date.
She has set out the names of survivors of deceased. She has also written down her proposals on the distribution of the estate.
On 21/9/2006 three persons:
1. James Mwaniki Gatumu
2. John Mugo Kirindi
3. Bedan Chomba Gachoki filed an affidavit of protest against the confirmation of the grant. They were claiming purchaser’s interest and have exhibited a copy of sale agreement they entered into with the administrator evidencing that transaction. Again on 3rd October 2006 another affidavit by Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe was filed protesting the sale of that land. Thereafter the protest filed on 21/9/2006 by the three protestors was withdrawn on 11/12/2006. On 15/4/2007 an amended Form 9 was filed by Applicant. Thereafter a hearing of protest filed by Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe took place. This protest objects because the land parcel Ngariama/Rungeto/154 belonged to her husband and she is the one who should be administering the estate of her husband instead of her daughter in law the applicant and that she was protesting the sale by the Applicant.
Firstly it is to be noted that the green card in respect of this land shows that the original owner was NJONJWE MUNGAI registered proprietor on 10/8/57 but that on 4/9/80 Esbon Njagi was registered as proprietor in succession. On the same day Gladys Wanjiru w/o Njonjwe was registered as having life interest on that parcel of land the whole for it. The evidence shows that deceased Hesbon Njagi Wambugu is the son of protester and there was a succession case in the estate of his father Njonjwe Mungai deceased.
It is my finding therefore Esbon held the title of the parcel of land subject to the life interest of his mother the protester. The land is not available for distribution until the termination of her life interest.
I therefore find that the application of confirmation of the grant as far as the parcel number Ngariama/Rungeto/154 is concerned is not justified. She may exercise until her life interest is terminated. She has power of appointment as granted under 34 (2) Succession Act Cap. 160 which she may exercise as she desires in the circumstances. The Application is dismissed with no order as to costs.
Dated this 31st July, 2007.
J. N. KHAMINWA
JUDGE
31/7/2007
Khaminwa – Judge
Njue – Clerk
Gladys Wanjiru Njonjwe protester present in person
Ruling read in their presence in open court.
J. N. KHAMINWA
JUDGE