[2004] KEHC 1927 (KLR)
The court held that under Order XXIII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Rules, execution proceedings do not abate upon the death of a judgment debtor after judgment has been entered. The applicant, having purchased the suit property at a public auction pursuant to a court order, is entitled to be put in possession...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2004] KEHC 1927 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Benard Wafula Makokha; Defendant: Julius Kipkeny Keter
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kitale
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- ? 75 of 2001
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Ruling on Post Judgment Application for Possession and Eviction
- Outcome
- Application allowed. Orders granted as prayed. No order as to costs.
- Legal Topics
- Execution of Decrees, Possession Orders, Eviction Proceedings, Death of Judgment Debtor
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Benard Wafula Makokha
Plaintiff
Julius Kipkeny Keter
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Post Judgment Application for Possession and Eviction
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant can be put in possession of the suit land without substituting the deceased defendant with his legal representative.
- 2 Whether the court should order eviction of the defendant's agents from the suit land and grant police assistance if necessary.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that under Order XXIII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Rules, execution proceedings do not abate upon the death of a judgment debtor after judgment has been entered. The applicant, having purchased the suit property at a public auction pursuant to a court order, is entitled to be put in possession without the need to substitute the deceased defendant with a legal representative. The court further found that the applicant is entitled to seek the assistance of the police to enforce the order for possession and eviction of the defendant's agents or persons claiming under the defendant's title. The application was therefore merited and allowed as prayed.
Court Disposition
Application allowed. Orders granted as prayed. No order as to costs.
Orders
- The applicant is to be put in possession of the suit land Plot No. 52 Ex-coke-farm LR. 6199.
- The defendant's agents and/or persons claiming under the defendant's title are to be removed and/or evicted from the suit land.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
44 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KITALE.
CIVIL SUIT NO. 75 OF 2001.
BENARD WAFULA MAKOKHA :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PLAINTIFF.
VERSUS
JULIUS KIPKENY KETER ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ACCUSED.
R U L I N G.
The applicant has moved the court vide the application dated 19/5/2004.
She is seeking orders that she be put in possession of the suit land plot No. 52 Ex-
coke- farm LR. 6199.
She is also asking the court to order that the defendant’s agents and/or
persons claiming under the defendants title be removed and/or evicted from the
suit land; and that in the event of resistance by the defendant’s agents, the officer
in charge of Moi’s Bridge police station be commanded to assist in provision of
security and enforcement of the orders of the court.
The application is supported by the grounds listed on the face of the
application and by her affidavit sworn on 19/5/04.
She is relying on order XXIII R.11 and also on oxx1 Rules 84, 86 and 87 of the CP. Rules.
O XXIII r. 11 enables a J/creditor to execute a decree where a J/Debtor
has died without substituting him with his legal representative. Execution
proceedings do no abate upon the death of a defendant J/D. nor is it necessary to
substitute the J/D with his legal representative.
In this case, the J/D is said to have died after judgment had already been
given in favour of the applicant for payment of a liquidated amount of money she
had added and purchased the suit plot in a public auction after being given leave to
do so by the court. All that remained was her to be put in possession by the time the
defendant died.
Under the provisions of OXXIII r.11, she can be put in possession without
going back to court to have the defendant substituted. She avers that the
defendant’s agents have been or are likely to resist her being put into possession.
She is thus asking the court for assistance under OXX1 Rules 84, 86 & 87 CPR.
After considering the said application and the grounds raised, along with the
supporting affidavit of the applicant, and the land applicable. I am satisfied that the law is on the applicant’s side.
The application before me is merited. The applicant should be put in
possession of the suit premises.
I consequently allow the application dated 19/5/2004 and grant the orders
as prayed with no order as to costs of this application.
WANJIRU KARANJA.
AG. JUDGE.
10/6/2004.
Dated and delivered today at Kitale in presence of Mr. Kidiavai for applicant and defendant’s wife, one Jane Keter.
WANJIRU KARANJA.
AG. JUDGE.
10/6/2004.