[2014] KEHC 8290 (KLR)

[2014] KEHC 8290 (KLR)

The court found that the plaintiffs did not acquire a valid or good title to the suit property because the person from whom they purchased, James Kinuthia Waiharo, had fraudulently obtained the title using forged documents that did not emanate from the genuine land-owning company. The Land Registration Act, 2012,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2014] KEHC 8290 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Esther Ndegi Njiru; Plaintiff: Jane Mugo Wanjiru; Defendant: Leonard Gatei Mbugua
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment & Land Case 128 of 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
Plaintiffs' suit dismissed; counterclaim allowed.
Judges
CM Kariuki
Legal Topics
Title Registration, Fraudulent Transfer, Indefeasibility of Title, Innocent Purchaser, Rectification of Register
Source Language
en
Land and Property Title Registration Fraudulent Transfer Indefeasibility of Title Innocent Purchaser Rectification of Register

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Esther Ndegi Njiru

Plaintiff

Jane Mugo Wanjiru

Plaintiff

Leonard Gatei Mbugua

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the plaintiffs obtained a valid and indefeasible title to the suit property from the 2nd defendant to the counterclaim.
  2. 2 Whether the registration of the plaintiffs as owners of the suit property is absolute and not liable to challenge.
  3. 3 Whether the defendant/counterclaimant is entitled to be registered as the owner of the suit property.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the plaintiffs did not acquire a valid or good title to the suit property because the person from whom they purchased, James Kinuthia Waiharo, had fraudulently obtained the title using forged documents that did not emanate from the genuine land-owning company. The Land Registration Act, 2012, unlike the repealed Registered Land Act, does not shield even first registrations from rectification where fraud or illegality is proved. The plaintiffs, though innocent purchasers, could not acquire a better title than their predecessor, and the title was impeachable under section 26(1)(b) of the Act as it was obtained illegally and unprocedurally. The defendant/counterclaimant...

Court Disposition

Plaintiffs' suit dismissed; counterclaim allowed.

Orders

  • Title issued to the plaintiffs on 23rd October 2008 to be cancelled forthwith and plaintiffs' names deleted from the register of land Title Number Ruiru Kiu/Block 2/3104.
  • Declaration that the defendant/counterclaimant is the lawful owner of Title No. Ruiru/Kiu Block 2/3104.