[2014] KEHC 7399 (KLR)
The court found that although the applicant is the registered proprietor of the suit premises and has a valid eviction order, there was insufficient evidence that the respondent had been properly served with the required eviction notices. To ensure due process and fairness, the court ordered that a three-month...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2014] KEHC 7399 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Dorothy Mumbua Katuu; Defendant: Kamene Syovili
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Suit 112 of 2004
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Ruling on Application for Police Assistance in Eviction Enforcement
- Outcome
- Application allowed in part; notice to vacate to be served, police assistance granted for enforcement after notice period.
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Eviction Orders, Enforcement of Judgments, Land Ownership Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Dorothy Mumbua Katuu
Plaintiff
Kamene Syovili
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Application for Police Assistance in Eviction Enforcement
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to police assistance in enforcing the eviction order against the respondent.
- 2 Whether due process was followed in serving eviction notices to the respondent.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that although the applicant is the registered proprietor of the suit premises and has a valid eviction order, there was insufficient evidence that the respondent had been properly served with the required eviction notices. To ensure due process and fairness, the court ordered that a three-month notice to vacate be served upon the respondent. Only upon failure to comply with this notice would eviction be enforced, with police assistance provided to the court bailiff as necessary. The court balanced the applicant's right to enforce the judgment with the respondent's right to due process, ensuring that eviction would only proceed after proper notice.
Court Disposition
Application allowed in part; notice to vacate to be served, police assistance granted for enforcement after notice period.
Orders
- Three months’ notice to vacate from the suit premises shall be served upon the respondent.
- Failure to comply with the notice will result in the respondent being evicted from the suit premises as previously ordered.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
No.177/2014
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
CIVIL SUIT NO.112 OF 2004
DOROTHY MUMBUA KATUU.......................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
KAMENE SYOVILI ........................................................DEFENDANT
RULING
By an application dated 9th December, 2013 the Applicant/Plaintiff/Decree holder seeks this courts order directing the Officer incharge of the Kenya Police Servicesand Administration Police at Nzaui Sub-County, Makueni (Matiliku) to provide security to the Bailiff/Eastern Kenya Auctioneers) while enforcing an eviction order issued herein on the 17th September 2012.
The application is premised of grounds that he plaintiff herein is the owner of the parcel of land known as Nzaui/Ikangavya/557 measuring 4. 4. Hectares; she sued the Defendant/Respondent. Judgment in the matter was delivered on the 29th May 2008; an eviction order having been issued the respondent and her family are likely to resist eviction. Notices issued to the defendant to vacate the suit premises voluntarily had been disobeyed.
The application is supported by an affidavit deposed by the applicant who reiterates what is stated in the body of the application.
This suit proceeded to formal proof after the Respondent failed and/or neglected to enter appearance. On 29th May, 2008 Lenaola, J delivered a judgment where he made a finding that the Applicant is the registered proprietor of the suit premises. He ordered that the Respondent be evicted from the suit premises. A permanent injunction was also issued restraining the Respondent from interfering with the suit premises. Consequently on eviction order did issue.
It has been stated that the eviction notice was served on the Respondent but she refused to leave the suit premises. However, none of the alleged notices were attached to the application. This is evidence that due process was not followed as alleged. This is a case where the Respondent appeared in court on being served with the instant application, she possessed the documents but did not seem to understand what had transpired.
In the premises, I do order as follows:-
Three (3) months’ notice to vacate from the suit premises shall be served upon the respondent.
Failure to comply with the notice will result into the Respondent being evicted from the suit premises as ordered. In the premises the Officer In chargeofKenya Police Servicesand Administration Police at Nzaui (Matiliku)shall provide security to the Court bailiff to execute the order.
Costs of the eviction shall be borne by the applicant.
It is so ordered.
DATED, DELIVERED and SIGNEDthis 22ndday of JANUARY, 2014.
L.N. MUTENDE
JUDGE