[2013] KEHC 1309 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff had proved ownership of the suit land by producing documentary evidence, including the title deed and sale agreement. The registration of the land in the plaintiff's name under Section 25 of the Land Registration Act conferred upon him the right to occupy and use the land. The...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 1309 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Ben Issa Isava; Defendant: Charles Waswa; Defendant: Petronila Baraka Waswa; Defendant: Mike Waswa
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Bungoma
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 56 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Judgment
- Outcome
- Plaintiff's claim for eviction allowed; claim for damages and costs denied.
- Legal Topics
- Eviction, Title Registration, Vacant Possession, Pleadings and Particulars
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Ben Issa Isava
Plaintiff
Charles Waswa
Defendant
Petronila Baraka Waswa
Defendant
Mike Waswa
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff has proved ownership of L.R. E.Bukusu/W.Sangalo/3282 on a balance of probabilities.
- 2 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to eviction orders against the defendants.
- 3 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to damages for being denied access to the land.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff had proved ownership of the suit land by producing documentary evidence, including the title deed and sale agreement. The registration of the land in the plaintiff's name under Section 25 of the Land Registration Act conferred upon him the right to occupy and use the land. The defendants, having failed to file a defence or adduce evidence, did not challenge the plaintiff's claim. The court applied the slip rule to correct a minor error in the land reference number in the plaint. The plaintiff was granted eviction orders as prayed, but was denied damages and costs because he had not specifically pleaded for damages and there was no opposition to the suit.
Court Disposition
Plaintiff's claim for eviction allowed; claim for damages and costs denied.
Orders
- Defendants to give vacant possession of L.R. E.Bukusu/W.Sangalo/3282 within 45 days, failing which they shall be evicted.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
18 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT BUNGOMA
CIVIL CASE NO. 56 OF 2012
BEN ISSA ISAVA.....................…….. PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
CHARLES WASWA
PETRONILA BARAKA WASWA
MIKE WASWA....................…….. DEFENDANTS
JUDGEMENT
The plaintiff filed this suit seeking eviction of the defendants from land parcel No. E. Bukusu/W. Sangalo/3282. There is filed an affidavit of service which showed the defendants who are family members were served on 29th June 2012. They did not enter appearance. The plaintiff thereafter requested for interlocutory judgment which was endorsed on 6th September 2012. He subsequently set down the suit for hearing.
The plaintiff in his evidence stated that he purchased the suit land from a Mr. Robert Otinga. At the time of sale, the said Robert had not processed the title in his name. Robert took the plaintiff to the registered owner then of L.R. 1852 who is the 1st defendant. He produced the sale agreement as Ex. P.3 which indicates the 1st defendant was a witness to the transaction. The plaintiff also aver that at the time of sale the suit land was vacant. He then processed title documents of the sold portion into his name. He produced copies of title deed for L.R. 3282 and mutation form for L.R 1852 as Ex. P 1 and 4 respectively. He also produced certificate of official search to confirm the land is registered in his name.
The plaintiff added that the defendants have denied him access and use of this land. He therefore prayed for eviction orders against the defendants and damages for the period they have stayed on the land. He closed his case. The plaintiffs counsel subsquently filed written submissions and quoted the case of Julius Kiluye Meruaki vs. Peter Mwathimba [2005] e KLR which has similar facts as in this case, except the authority is persuasive. The High Court found in favour of the plaintiff as the defendants had failed to file defence or adduce any evidence.
Like the case supra, the issue for determination is whether the plaintiff has proved its case on a balance of probabilities. The plaintiff has produced documentary evidence on how he acquired the land and has processed title in his name. The title deed was issued to the plaintiff on 15th May 2009. The registration bestowed on him the right to occupy and use the land (Sec. 25 of Land Registration Act). There is no evidence on the contrary why he should not have the opportunity to use this land. The rights of the 1st Defendant if any were extinguished immediately the change of ownership was effected.
I wish to point out that the pleadings referred to L.R. W. Sangalo/3282. Similarly documents also revealed the suit parcel as L.R. 3282. However the prayers in the plaint referred to L.R. E.Bukusu/W.Sangalo/ 3285. This is a minor error for which I will apply the slip rule (sec 100 Civil Procedure Act) and assume eviction order sought is in respect of L.R. E.Bukusu/W.Sangalo/3282.
Consequently I find the plaintiff has proved his case within the required standards of the law and allow prayer (a) of the plaint. In his evidence, he prayed also for compensation from the defendants for the period he has been denied access to the land. However he did not pray for damages in his plaint. The law is you cannot be given what you have not prayed for. Neither did he explain the nature and extent of loss he has suffered. I find he is bound by his pleadings and he also did not prove loss to merit compensation. I will also not award him costs as there was no opposition to his case. The defendants are given 45 days to give vacant possession in default they be evicted.
JUDGMENT DATED, SIGNED and DELIVERED in open court this 5th day of November, 2013.
A. OMOLLO
JUDGE.