[2020] KEELC 3199 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff, as administratrix of the estate of the deceased, had proved on a balance of probabilities that the deceased purchased plot 645 from the defendant and was issued with an ownership certificate. The defendant failed to transfer the plot during the deceased's lifetime and did not...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEELC 3199 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Beth Wangari Muroki (suing as the administrator of the estate of Rose Wanjiru Muroki); Defendant: Umagara Wiyonere Co. Limited
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 193 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment entered for the plaintiff as prayed in the plaint.
- Judges
- EO Obaga
- Legal Topics
- Transfer of Land, Administration of Estates, Ownership Certificates
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Beth Wangari Muroki (suing as the administrator of the estate of Rose Wanjiru Muroki)
Plaintiff
Umagara Wiyonere Co. Limited
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff, as administratrix of the deceased's estate, is entitled to compel the defendant to transfer plot 645 to her.
- 2 Whether the deceased acquired valid ownership rights over plot 645 by virtue of the ownership certificate issued by the defendant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff, as administratrix of the estate of the deceased, had proved on a balance of probabilities that the deceased purchased plot 645 from the defendant and was issued with an ownership certificate. The defendant failed to transfer the plot during the deceased's lifetime and did not contest the plaintiff's evidence. The court held that the plaintiff was entitled to judgment as prayed, compelling the defendant to transfer the plot to her as the estate's representative.
Court Disposition
Judgment entered for the plaintiff as prayed in the plaint.
Orders
- The defendant is compelled to transfer plot 645 to the plaintiff in her capacity as administratrix of the estate of Rose Wanjiru Muroki.
- The defendant shall execute all necessary documents to effect the transfer of plot 645 to the plaintiff.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
MILIMANI LAW COURTS
ELC NO. 193 OF 2018
BETH WANGARI MUROKI (SUING AS THE ADMINISTATOR OF
THE ESTATE OF ROSE WANJIRU MUROKI.................PLAINTIFF
- VERSUS -
UMAGARA WIYONERE CO.LIMITED.........................DEFENDANT
JUDGEMENT
1. The Plaintiff is the administratrix of the estate of her deceased sister Rose Wanjiku Muroki (Deceased). The Defendant is a land buying Company. In or around 1987, the Defendant called upon members of the public to purchase plots it had at Kasarani area of Nairobi. The deceased heeded the call and went and purchased one plot being plot No. 645 measuring 50ft x 50ft which was to be curved out of LR 8469/4. The deceased was given a plot ownership certificate dated 9th July 1987.
2. During the lifetime of the deceased, the deceased pursued the directors of the Defendant Company to have the plot registered in her name but this did not happen. The deceased died on 24th July 1992 without having obtained title documents in her name. The Plaintiff then took out a grant of letters of administration ad litem and filed this suit after the directors of the Defendant kept giving her empty promises on transfer. The Plaintiff now prays that the company be compelled to transfer the plot to her in her capacity as administratrix of the estate of the deceased.
3. At the hearing of this suit, the Defendant who was duly served through its lawyer did not send any representative. Their lawyer did not turn up either. I have considered the evidence adduced by the Plaintiff. There is evidence that the Defendant issued the deceased with a plot ownership certificate for plot 645. This certificate is dated 9th July 1987. The Plaintiff also provided a demand letter which was written by Kituo Cha Sheria . Also produced was a letter from the Department of the Registrar General which shows that the Defendant Company was incorporated on 16th December 1985. The directors at incorporation are also shown.
4. The Plaintiff is the administratrix of the estate of the deceased as per the grant of letters ad litem issued on 6th March 2017. The Defendant filed a defence but did not call any evidence. The Plaintiff’s evidence therefore remains uncontroverted. I therefore find that the Plaintiff has proved her case on a balance of probabilities. I enter Judgement in her favour against the Defendant in terms of prayers (a),(b) and (c) of the Plaint dated 24th April 2018 and filed in Court on the same date.
Dated, Signed and delivered at Nairobi on this 12th day of March 2020.
E.O.OBAGA
JUDGE
In the Presence of :-
…………………………………….
………………………………
Court Assistant: Hilda
E.O. OBAGA
JUDGE