[2020] KEELC 611 (KLR)

[2020] KEELC 611 (KLR)

The court found that the plaintiff failed to prove actual, open, exclusive, and continuous possession of the suit property for the requisite 12 years. The plaintiff's evidence on the date of entry and possession was contradictory, and he did not reside on the property or call any agent to corroborate his claim of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] KEELC 611 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: David Matheri Waruinge; Defendant: Joreth Limited; Defendant: George Mwangi Macheru
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Nairobi
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment & Land Case 736 of 2013
Procedural Posture
Originating Summons / Judgment
Outcome
plaintiff's suit dismissed
Judges
BM Eboso
Legal Topics
Adverse Possession, Land Title Registration, Limitation of Actions, Rectification of Register
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Adverse Possession Land Title Registration Limitation of Actions Rectification of Register

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Parties

David Matheri Waruinge

Plaintiff

Joreth Limited

Defendant

George Mwangi Macheru

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Originating Summons / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the plaintiff acquired title to LR No 13330/387 by adverse possession.
  2. 2 Whether an order of adverse possession can be made where the suit property is charged to a bank not joined as a party.
  3. 3 Whether the plaintiff satisfied the criteria for annulling the 2nd defendant's title under Section 26 of the Land Registration Act.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the plaintiff failed to prove actual, open, exclusive, and continuous possession of the suit property for the requisite 12 years. The plaintiff's evidence on the date of entry and possession was contradictory, and he did not reside on the property or call any agent to corroborate his claim of occupation. The court held that mere cultivation or erection of a makeshift structure, without clear evidence of adverse possession, was insufficient. Furthermore, the property was charged to Kenya Commercial Bank, which was not joined as a party, making it improper to grant orders affecting the bank's interest. The plaintiff also failed to establish any grounds under Section...

Court Disposition

plaintiff's suit dismissed

Orders

  • The plaintiff has failed to prove acquisition of title to LR No 13330/387 by adverse possession.
  • There is no basis for impeaching the titles held by the 1st and 2nd defendants.