[2025] KEHC 4896 (KLR)

[2025] KEHC 4896 (KLR)

The court held that the substance of the Plaintiff's claim was for trespass and interference with possession of land, not a matrimonial property dispute as envisaged under the Matrimonial Property Act. The entry of the Interested Party, who also claimed ownership, further transformed the dispute into one over title...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] KEHC 4896 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Eddah Jepchumba Bunei; Defendant: Josiah Kipngetich Rutto; Defendant: Milkah Chemutai; Interested Party: Elijah Kipruto Bugut
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Eldoret
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Case E004 of 2022
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
Outcome
Suit struck out for want of jurisdiction.
Judges
JRA Wananda
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction of Courts, Preliminary Objection, Trespass to Land, Matrimonial Home Disputes
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Jurisdiction of Courts Preliminary Objection Trespass to Land Matrimonial Home Disputes

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Eddah Jepchumba Bunei

Plaintiff

Josiah Kipngetich Rutto

Defendant

Milkah Chemutai

Defendant

Elijah Kipruto Bugut

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Civil Case / Ruling on Preliminary Objection

  1. 1 Whether the High Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine a dispute relating to use, occupation, and possession of land described as a matrimonial home.
  2. 2 Whether the suit should be struck out or transferred to the Environment and Land Court (ELC) if the High Court lacks jurisdiction.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the substance of the Plaintiff's claim was for trespass and interference with possession of land, not a matrimonial property dispute as envisaged under the Matrimonial Property Act. The entry of the Interested Party, who also claimed ownership, further transformed the dispute into one over title and possession of land. Under Article 162(2)(b) of the Constitution and Section 13 of the Environment and Land Court Act, such disputes fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Environment and Land Court. The High Court's jurisdiction is expressly ousted by Article 165(5) in such matters. The court further held that a suit filed in a court without jurisdiction is a nullity...

Court Disposition

Suit struck out for want of jurisdiction.

Orders

  • The Preliminary Objection dated 20/09/2024 is upheld.
  • The suit is struck out on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.