[2014] KEHC 6097 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case warranting the preservation of the suit properties pending the hearing of the main suit. The court emphasized that it was not appropriate at this interlocutory stage to make final findings on disputed facts, particularly regarding the deceased's...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2014] KEHC 6097 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Elizabeth Murugi Njiima; Plaintiff: Humprey Mburea Njage; Defendant: Reginald L. Micheni Sospeter
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 6 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Interlocutory Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Application
- Outcome
- Plaintiffs' application for interlocutory injunction allowed.
- Judges
- FM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Interlocutory Injunctions, Land Title Disputes, Capacity to Contract
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Elizabeth Murugi Njiima
Plaintiff
Humprey Mburea Njage
Plaintiff
Reginald L. Micheni Sospeter
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Interlocutory Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiffs have established a prima facie case for the grant of an interlocutory injunction.
- 2 Whether the defendant should be restrained from dealing with land parcels Muthambi/Igamwathi/1201 and 1203 pending the hearing of the main suit.
- 3 Whether the deceased had capacity and free will to execute the disputed land transactions.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiffs had established a prima facie case warranting the preservation of the suit properties pending the hearing of the main suit. The court emphasized that it was not appropriate at this interlocutory stage to make final findings on disputed facts, particularly regarding the deceased's capacity and voluntariness in executing the land transfers. Instead, the court weighed the strength of the parties' respective cases and determined that the plaintiffs' application had merit. Accordingly, the court granted the interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendant from dealing with the suit properties until the main suit is heard and determined, with costs to be in...
Court Disposition
Plaintiffs' application for interlocutory injunction allowed.
Orders
- The defendant is restrained from developing or dealing in any manner whatsoever with land title Nos. Muthambi/Igamwathi/1201 and 1203 pending the hearing of the main suit.
- Costs of the application to be in the cause.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MERU
ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT SUIT NO.6 OF 2013
ELIZABETH MURUGI NJIIMA.........................................1ST PLAINTIFF
HUMPREY MBUREA NJAGE.........................................2ND PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
REGINALD L. MICHENI SOSPETER..................................DEFENDANT
R U L I N G
This application is dated 15th January, 2013 and seeks orders:
1. That this application be certified urgent.
2. That pending the hearing of this application inter partes the defendants be restrained from developing or dealing in any manner whatsoever with land title No's Muthambi/Igamwathi/1201 and 1203.
3. That pending the hearing of the main suit the defendant be restrained from developing or dealing in any manner whatsoever with land title Nos. Muthambi/Igamwathi/1201 and 1203.
4. Costs of this application be provided for.
Interim orders were granted on 22. 1.2013. The order in prayer 1 is spent. By consent, the parties on 23. 5.13 agreed to have the interim orders maintained and have status quo remain.
The application was argued by way of written submissions. The applicants/plaintiffs submitted that they were administrators of the estate of M'NJEMA NJAGI alias SOSPETER M'NJIIMA NGAGI (deceased) and that they had been granted a Joint Grant of Letters of Administration vide Machakos High Court Succession Cause No.963 of 2009. They submitted that the deceased was the registered proprietor of Original Land Parcel No.MUTHAMBI/IGAMURATHI/78. They claimed that the deceased original proprietor of the suit land was manipulated by the defendant when he was in a state of ill health to sub-divide the land and to transfer 2 of the resultant parcels No's Muthambi/Igamurathi/1201 and 1203 to the defendant. They claim that the deceased lacked free will and capacity to execute the disputed transactions.
The respondents/defendants have made diametrically opposed assertions. They claim that the deceased original proprietor had full knowledge and capacity to execute the disputed transactions. They have argued that they have satisfied the principles enunciated in the classic case of Giella Vs Cassman Brown & Co., (1973) EA 358.
I have examined the averments, documents and submissions proffered by the parties. I find that most of the issues raised can only be canvassed at the hearing of the main suit. As the Court of Appeal opined in the case of Mbuthia Vs Jimba Credit Corporation & Another [1988] KLR 1:
“The correct approach in dealing with an application for an interlocutory injunction is not to decide the issues of fact, but rather to weigh up the relevant strength of each side's propositions. The lower court judge in this case had gone far beyond his proper duties and made final findings of fact on disputed affidavits.
I find that the plaintiffs' application has merit. It is allowed with costs to be in the cause.
Delivered in Open Court at Meru this 18th day of March, 2014 in the presence of:
Cc Daniel
Miss Kaaria h/b Muriithi for defendant
J. Muthomi h/b for Nduva Kitonga for plaintiff/Applicant
P. M. NJOROGE
JUDGE