[2017] KECA 75 (KLR)

[2017] KECA 75 (KLR)

The Court of Appeal held that the High Court erred in granting orders of certiorari in respect of Kwale/Diani Beach Block/675 because leave had not been sought for such relief and the respondent's pleadings did not cover that property. The respondent lacked locus standi to challenge rates imposed on three plots not...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2017] KECA 75 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: County Government of Kwale; Respondent: Kenya Airports Authority
Court
Court of Appeal
Court Station
Court of Appeal at Mombasa
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 90 of 2016
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; order of certiorari set aside; prohibition against levying rates on Ukunda Airstrip upheld; each party to bear its own costs.
Judges
ARM Visram, J Karanja, FI Koome
Legal Topics
Judicial Review, Public Land Rating, Locus Standi, County Taxation Powers, Constitutional Interpretation
Source Language
en
Administrative Law Land and Property Judicial Review Public Land Rating Locus Standi County Taxation Powers Constitutional Interpretation

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

County Government of Kwale

Appellant

Kenya Airports Authority

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the High Court erred in granting judicial review orders of certiorari and prohibition without proper leave or pleadings.
  2. 2 Whether Kenya Airports Authority had locus standi to challenge rates imposed on properties not registered in its name.
  3. 3 Whether the respondent is exempt from payment of land rates to the County Government under the Constitution and relevant statutes.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that the High Court erred in granting orders of certiorari in respect of Kwale/Diani Beach Block/675 because leave had not been sought for such relief and the respondent's pleadings did not cover that property. The respondent lacked locus standi to challenge rates imposed on three plots not registered in its name. However, the Court affirmed that the Kenya Airports Authority, as a national government agency, is exempt from payment of land rates for the Ukunda Airstrip under Rule 4 of the Valuation for Rating (Public Land) Rules and Article 209(5) of the Constitution. The Court found that it is not feasible to separate airport facilities for rating purposes and...

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; order of certiorari set aside; prohibition against levying rates on Ukunda Airstrip upheld; each party to bear its own costs.

Orders

  • The order of certiorari quashing the demand notice for Kwale/Diani Beach Block/675 is vacated.
  • An order of prohibition restraining the County Government of Kwale from levying, imposing, demanding, or recovering rates in respect of Ukunda Airstrip is upheld.