https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2026/3516
The record of appeal was materially incomplete, with major portions of the pleadings and related documents missing, preventing the court from comprehending and determining the appeal; the court therefore struck out the appeal with costs.
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2026] KEELC 3516 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: David Gitonga Githinji; 1st Respondent: Charles Nderitu Kiruki (sued as the Administrator of the Estate of Ann Murima Nderitu - Deceased); 2nd Respondent: Nyandarua District Land Registrar
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment and Land Appeal E005 of 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Environment and Land Appeal / Ruling on Appeal
- Outcome
- Appeal struck out with costs.
- Judges
- ["JM Kamau"]
- Legal Topics
- Incomplete Record of Appeal, Striking Out Appeal, Costs, Failure to Provide Sufficient Record, Appellate Judgment on Missing Pleadings and Proceedings
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
David Gitonga Githinji
Appellant
Charles Nderitu Kiruki (sued as the Administrator of the Estate of Ann Murima Nderitu - Deceased)
1st Respondent
Nyandarua District Land Registrar
2nd Respondent
Procedural Posture
Environment and Land Appeal / Ruling on Appeal
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the appeal could be determined on the basis of an incomplete record of appeal
- 2 Whether the court should strike out the appeal for lack of sufficient material
- 3 Whether costs should follow the order striking out the appeal
Ratio Decidendi
The record of appeal was materially incomplete, with major portions of the pleadings and related documents missing, preventing the court from comprehending and determining the appeal; the court therefore struck out the appeal with costs.
Court Disposition
Appeal struck out with costs.
Orders
- The appeal is struck out.
- Costs awarded to the respondents.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
Githinji v Kiruki ( Sued as the Administrator of the Estate of Ann Murima Nderitu - Deceased) & another (Environment and Land Appeal E005 of 2024) [2026] KEELC 3516 (KLR) (28 May 2026) (Ruling) Neutral citation: [2026] KEELC 3516 (KLR) Republic of Kenya In the Environment and Land Court at Nyandarua Environment and Land Appeal E005 of 2024 JM Kamau, J May 28, 2026 Between David Gitonga Githinji Appellant and Charles Nderitu Kiruki ( sued as the Administrator of the Estate of Ann Murima Nderitu - Deceased) 1st Respondent Nyandarua District Land Registrar 2nd Respondent Ruling 1.It is unfortunate to the Appellant in this case that the Record of Appeal is incomplete and the Court cannot therefore be able to comprehend whether he would succeed in the Appeal or not. Why do I say so? In the CTS the first part of the Appeal does not appear at all i.e in volume 1. When I realized these 3 times I asked the Appellant’s Counsel Mr Maina Kairu in Court when he was appearing in other matters. I even told him to give us a hard copy and twice he told me that he had filed it. This was not the case. It was only during the third time he told me he had sent someone to file it. And even though the hard copy of the Appeal was still incomplete, the same is paginated on top and at the bottom. I realized from the index, the table of contents that I should go by the pages at the bottom. Unfortunately, the same runs from page 1 to page 13. Then it jumps to page 84 meaning that 71 pages are missing. I believe this is where most of the pleadings in the lower Court are. 2.The last Pleading I got is the further Amended Plaint for pages 8 to 11 and then on page 12 is the Verifying Affidavit. Page 13 contains the Defence to 1st Defendant’s Counter-claim. I did not have the advantage of the Defence and Counter-claim. It appears that I was only given the pleadings from the Appellant’s side and none from the Respondents. From page 84 to page 117 are documents which again I can’t tell what they represent. 3.Then the proceedings on page 118 to page 231. On pages 232 – 241 is the Judgement. From the table of contents, pages 17 to 117 are said to contain: -a.Proceedings and Ruling of the Land Registrar Hon C.W.Ngechub.Report by Land Registrar E.W Maina dated 21/9/2021 and filed on 17/11/2021.c.Reported by District Surveyor E.K.Kibiru dated 21/9/2021.d.Report by Land Registrar C.M.Ayienda dated 22/9/2021.e.Plaintiff’s Submissions dated 10-/7/2023.f.Amended Defence and Counter-claim dated 9/3/2016.g.Amended Defence and Counter-claim dated 30/5/2018.h.Further Amended Defence and Counter-claim dated 20/1/2020.i.Defendant’s bundle of Statements and Documents.j.2nd Defendant Notice of Appointment of Advocates. 4.In the circumstances, I am unable to write a Judgment due to lack of sufficient or incomplete material and I therefore strike out the herein Appeal for the said reasons with costs. JUDGMENT READ, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NYANDARUA THIS 28TH DAY OF MAY, 2026.MUGO KAMAUJUDGEIn the Presence of: -Court Assistant: SamsonAppellant’s Counsel: Mr. Maina Kairu.Respondent’s Counsel: Ms. Mugi.