[2013] KEHC 3520 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff had demonstrated lawful ownership of land parcel Bokoli/Bokoli/1843 through documentary evidence and registration under the Land Registration Act. The defendant, despite being served, failed to contest the claim or present any defense. The court held that the plaintiff, as the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 3520 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: David Musimisi Wekesa; Defendant: Wafula Simiyu Matete
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Bungoma
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 139 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ex Parte Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the plaintiff. Permanent injunction granted. Defendant to vacate and demolish structures within 60 days or plaintiff to demolish. Costs awarded to plaintiff.
- Legal Topics
- Ownership Disputes, Injunctive Relief, Land Registration, Title Deeds
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
David Musimisi Wekesa
Plaintiff
Wafula Simiyu Matete
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ex Parte Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff is the lawful owner of land parcel Bokoli/Bokoli/1843.
- 2 Whether the defendant should be permanently restrained from interfering with the plaintiff's use and enjoyment of the land.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff had demonstrated lawful ownership of land parcel Bokoli/Bokoli/1843 through documentary evidence and registration under the Land Registration Act. The defendant, despite being served, failed to contest the claim or present any defense. The court held that the plaintiff, as the registered owner, is entitled to exclusive use and enjoyment of the land, and that the defendant's continued occupation and interference constituted a violation of those rights. The court therefore granted a permanent injunction restraining the defendant from interfering with the plaintiff's land, ordered demolition of the defendant's structures if not removed within sixty days,...
Court Disposition
Judgment for the plaintiff. Permanent injunction granted. Defendant to vacate and demolish structures within 60 days or plaintiff to demolish. Costs awarded to plaintiff.
Orders
- Defendant to demolish his structure on Bokoli/Bokoli/1843 within sixty (60) days of service of the order/decree.
- In default, plaintiff is authorized to demolish the structure.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
High Court at Bungoma
Civil Case 139 of 2012 [if gte mso 9]><![endif]
DAVID MUSIMISI WEKESA ...............................................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
WAFULA SIMIYU MATETE …....................................................... DEFENDANT
JUDGMENT
The plaintiff filed his suit on 10th October 2012 for a claim of ;
1. Permanent injunction directed at the defendant, his agents and/or servants howsoever called from entering into, remaining or in any other manner interfering with the plaintiffs rights of use and enjoyment of the property aforesaid.
2. Costs and interest.
There is filed an affidavit of service on 12th November 2012 giving a description how the defendant was served on 12th October 2012. The defendant was served again on 13th December 2012 with a hearing notice. He never filed any papers in opposition to the prayers sought by the plaintiffs. The case thus proceeded exparte on 11th April 2013.
The plaintiffs gave evidence in which he explained to court how he acquired the suit land. He purchased the land from the defendants father on 5th March 1997 and the agreement was adduced in writing. He produced the original as ex. P1. He thereafter got himself registered as owner of the sold parcel of land Bokoli/Bokoli/1843 on 26th November 1999. He produced a copy of the title deed, certificate of official search and green card to confirm his ownership. He concluded by saying the defendant has his parcel of land but continues to live on the subject matter and destroys his crops while he is away if he plants any thus interfering with his right to use and enjoy the land.
The plaintiff has from the documents on record demonstrated that he is currently the owner of land parcel Bokoli/Bokoli/1843 and is therefore entitled to all rights accruing to a registered owner as provided by law under section 24 of the Land Registration Act. He also stated in his evidence that he has tried to persuade the defendant to leave the land but which efforts haveachieved no fruits. He sought this courts assistance to enable him enjoy his land which the court therefore grants to him.
His prayers are allowed in terms that the defendant is given sixty (60) days from the date the order/decree is served upon his to demolish his structure standing on land parcel Bokoli/Bokoli/1843. In default, the plaintiff to proceed and demolish the structure. Further on demolition of the house, the defendant either by himself, his agents or persons claiming through him be permanently restrained from interfering in any manner with the plaintiffs use of land Bokoli/Bokoli/1843. The plaintiff is also awarded costs of the suit.
JUDGMENT SIGNED, DELIVERED AND READ in open court this13th day of MAY 2013.
A. OMOLLO
JUDGE.
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