[2019] KEELC 877 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff's claim for adverse possession was uncontroverted and fully admitted by the 1st defendant, with no opposition from the 2nd defendant. The evidence demonstrated that the plaintiff and his kinsmen, as successors of Aloice Onyuna Otigo, had occupied and possessed the suit land, LR NO....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEELC 877 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Boniface Abongo Onyuna alias Apongo Onyuna; Defendant: Jane Atieno Orimba; Defendant: Dickson Mbai Orimba
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Migori
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 243 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Originating Summons / Judgment
- Outcome
- judgment for the plaintiff
- Judges
- GMA Ongondo
- Legal Topics
- Adverse Possession, Land Registration, Settlement Schemes, Trusts in Land
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Boniface Abongo Onyuna alias Apongo Onyuna
Plaintiff
Jane Atieno Orimba
Defendant
Dickson Mbai Orimba
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Originating Summons / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff and his kinsmen have acquired title to LR NO. Labwe East/68 by way of adverse possession.
- 2 Whether the registration of Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya as proprietor was fraudulent or valid.
- 3 Whether the occupation and possession by the plaintiff's family has been peaceful, continuous, and uninterrupted for more than 12 years.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff's claim for adverse possession was uncontroverted and fully admitted by the 1st defendant, with no opposition from the 2nd defendant. The evidence demonstrated that the plaintiff and his kinsmen, as successors of Aloice Onyuna Otigo, had occupied and possessed the suit land, LR NO. Labwe East/68, openly, peacefully, and continuously for more than 12 years. There was no evidence of occupation or assertion of rights by the registered proprietor, Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya, or his kinsmen. The court held that the requirements for adverse possession had been satisfied and that the plaintiff and his kinsmen had acquired title to the land. The court ordered that...
Court Disposition
judgment for the plaintiff
Orders
- A declaration that the plaintiff and his kinsmen, particularly all the children of the deceased, Aloice Onyuna Otigo, have acquired the suit land LR NO. Labwe East/68 by way of adverse possession.
- The suit land be registered in the name of the plaintiff, Boniface Abongo Onyuna alias Apongo Onyuna, in lieu of Nathaniel Orimba Chwenya to hold the same in trust for himself and his kinsmen, particularly all the children of the deceased, Aloice Onyuna Otigo.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
39 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT MIGORI
ELC CASE NO. 243 OF 2017 (O.S)
(Formerly Kisii Elcc no. 332 of 2016 (O.S)
BONIFACE ABONGO ONYUNAaliasAPONGO ONYUNA....................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
JANE ATIENO ORIMBA....................................................................1ST DEFENDANT
DICKSON MBAI ORIMBA..............................................................2ND RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
1. By an originating summons dated 12th October 2016 and filed in court on 14th October 2016, the plaintiff, Boniface Abongo Onyuna alias Apongo Onyuna through G.S. Okoth and Company Advocates is claiming adverse possession in respect of LR. NO. LABWE EAST/68 registered in the name of Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya. He is seeking determination of questions 1 to 8 set out it’s face namely;-
a)Whether land parcel No. Lambwe East/68 now registered in the name of Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya is part of the settlement land parcel contained in the plot card for Lambwe Settlement Scheme or not?
b)Whether the allottee, Aloice Onyuna Otigo, sold to or gave the said land to Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya or not? And if so then whether any documentary proof of such contractual relationship exists?
c)Whether the family land and kinsmen of Aloice Onyuna Otigo have occupied, possessed or resolved on the suit land parcel No. Lambwe East/68? and is so for how long have they occupied the same?
d)Whether the registered proprietor, Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya or any of his kinsmen have ever occupied, cultivated or used the suit land in any way?
e)Whether the registration of Nathaniel Orimba Chwanya as proprietor of the suit land was done fraudulently or openly and had he asserted his right of ownership over the said land at all?
f)If the answer to 3 above is positive, whether the said occupation and possession has been peaceful, continuous, uninterrupted and open for a period of more than 12 years or not.
g)Whether the estate of Aloice Onyuna Otigo or any of his Kinsmen occupying the suit land have acquired title to the suit land by way of adverse possession?
h)Who is to bear the costs of this suit?
2. The Originating summons is premised on the plaintiff’s affidavit sworn on even date. It is also based on documents marked as “BAO 1 and BAO-2A as well as “BAO-2B”, (PExhibits 1A, 2A and 2B respectively).
3. The 1st respondent, Jane Atieno Orimba who appears in person filed her replying affidavit sworn on 28/11/2016. Essentially, her said response is an absolute admission of the plaintiff’s claim.
4. The 2nd defendant Dickson Mbai Orimba did not respond to the plaintiff’s claim.
5. I note issues 1 to 8 set out on the face of the originating summons. I embrace the them accordingly; see GreatLakes Transport Company (U) Ltd –vs- Kenya Revenue Authority (2009) KLR 720.
6. The plaintiff and the 1st defendant relied on their respective pleadings. I take into account the same.
7. I find that the plaintiff’s claim is not controverted. It is merited and proved against the defendants to the requisite standard ; see Wilson Kazungu Katana and 101 others –vs- Salim Abdalla Bakshwein and another (2015) eKLR.
8. Accordingly, I enter judgment for the plaintiff against the defendants jointly and severally thus;-
a)A declaration that the plaintiff and his Kinsmen, particularly all the children of the deceased, Aloice Onyuna Otigo have acquired the suit land LR NO. Labwe East/68 by way of adverse possession.
b)The suit land be registered in the name of the plaintiff, Boniface Abongo Onyuna alias Apongo Onyuna in lieu of Nathaniel Orimba Chwenya to hold the same in trust for himself and his kinsmen, particularly all the children of the deceased, Aloice Onyuna Otigo.
c)The Deputy Registrar of this court shall execute transfer documents of the suit land as per order number (b) hereinabove.
d)The Land Registrar, in charge of Homa-Bay County shall enter the plaintiff’s name in the register accordingly.
e)No orders as to costs.
It is so ordered.
DELIVERED, SIGNED and DATED in open court at MIGORI this 17th day of OCTOBER 2019.
G. M. A. ONGONDO
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Mr. G.S. Okoth learned counsel for the plaintiff
1st defendant in person
Tom Maurice – Court Assistant