[2025] KEELC 3572 (KLR)
The court found that it has jurisdiction to order the transfer of the suit from the Magistrates Court to itself for hearing and determination, particularly where the nature of the dispute and the interests of justice so require. The application was unopposed, and the applicant demonstrated that the transfer and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2025] KEELC 3572 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Hellan Cherobon; Respondent: Simotwo Arap Kemboi; Respondent: Mercy Cherono Kibiego (Suing as Legal Representative of the Late Simion Kemboi - Deceased)
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Kapsabet
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment and Land Miscellaneous Application E001 of 2025
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Transfer and Priority Hearing
- Outcome
- Application allowed.
- Judges
- GMA Ongondo
- Legal Topics
- Transfer of Suit, Jurisdiction of Courts, Priority Hearing, Adverse Possession
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Hellan Cherobon
Applicant
Simotwo Arap Kemboi
Respondent
Mercy Cherono Kibiego (Suing as Legal Representative of the Late Simion Kemboi - Deceased)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Transfer and Priority Hearing
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Environment and Land Court has jurisdiction to order the transfer of a suit from the Magistrates Court for hearing and determination.
- 2 Whether the nature of the dispute warrants a priority hearing before the Environment and Land Court.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that it has jurisdiction to order the transfer of the suit from the Magistrates Court to itself for hearing and determination, particularly where the nature of the dispute and the interests of justice so require. The application was unopposed, and the applicant demonstrated that the transfer and priority hearing were justified under the relevant statutory provisions and case law. The court was guided by appellate authority on jurisdiction over adverse possession and the transfer of suits, and concluded that the application was meritorious and should be allowed as sought.
Court Disposition
Application allowed.
Orders
- Kapsabet Magistrates Court E&L Case No 051 of 202 is to be transferred to the Environment and Land Court at Kapsabet for hearing and determination.
- The matter shall proceed for hearing on a priority basis as proposed and applied for by the applicant.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
Cherobon v Kemboi & another (Environment and Land Miscellaneous Application E001 of 2025) [2025] KEELC 3572 (KLR) (6 May 2025) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2025] KEELC 3572 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Kapsabet
Environment and Land Miscellaneous Application E001 of 2025
GMA Ongondo, J
May 6, 2025
Between
Hellan Cherobon
Plaintiff
and
Simotwo Arap Kemboi
1st Defendant
Mercy Cherono Kibiego (Suing as Legal Representative of the Late Simion Kemboi - Deceased)
2nd Defendant
Ruling
1. This ruling relates to an application by way of the Notice of Motion dated 28th January 2025 by the applicant through Kipkosgei Choge and Company Advocates for the following principal orders;a.the Hon, Court be pleased to Order and call for Kapsabet Magistrates Court E&L case No 051 of 202 for Orders that the that case be Transferred to this Court for Hearing and Determination.b.That it is further proposed to the Court for an Order that the matter to proceed for Hearing as Proposed and Applied for by the Applicant and pursuant to Section 1A,1B ,3 and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act Chapter 21, Laws of Kenya alongside Section 13 of the Environment and Land Court Act and in view of the character of the dispute, it be ordered and directed that there be a hearing on priority basis with the Plaintiff attending accordingly.
2. The application is premised upon the grounds. Inter alia;(a)That the Plaintiff had filed suit no 100 of 2020 before the Environment and Land court in Eldoret that was Transferred to the Magistrates Curt on account of its Value and territorial jurisdiction.(b)That this Hon. Court has jurisdiction to make Orders or give directions if considers appropriate to meet the ends of justice.
3. Mr Choge learned counsel for the applicant has implored the court to allow the application
4. The application is not opposed.
5. Upon careful consideration of the application in entirety and being guided by the Court of Appeal decision in Sugawara-vs-Kiruti (Sued in her capacity as the administratrix of the Estate of Mutarakwa Kiruti Lepaso alias Mutarakwa Kiruti Lepaso alias Mutaragwa Kiroti Leposo and in her own Capacity & 3 others (2024) eKLR on jurisdiction over adverse possession claims and Republic-vs-Karisa Chengo & 2 others (2017) eKLR on jurisdiction generally, I find the application firm and meritorious.
6. Accordingly, the application is hereby allowed in terms of orders 2 and 3 sought in the application as stated in paragraph 1 (a) and (b) hereinabove.
7. It is so ordered.
DATED AND DELIVERED AT KAPSABET THIS 6THDAY OF MAY 2025. G M A ONGONDOJUDGEPRESENT;Mr Choge learned counsel for the applicantMr Walter Kipkorir, court assistant