[2013] KEHC 2036 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff had established her case by producing the green card as proof of ownership of the suit land. The defendants, having failed to file a defence or attend court, were deemed to have trespassed onto the plaintiff's property without any lawful justification. The court held that the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 2036 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Eunice Ncabira Ithinji; Defendant: Morris Kirugi; Defendant: Kagwiria Kirugi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 135 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the plaintiff. Eviction order granted. Costs awarded to the plaintiff.
- Legal Topics
- Eviction, Trespass, Ownership of Land
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Eunice Ncabira Ithinji
Plaintiff
Morris Kirugi
Defendant
Kagwiria Kirugi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff is the lawful owner of L.R NO. NKUENE/NKUMARI/1596.
- 2 Whether the defendants trespassed onto the plaintiff's land and constructed a structure without consent.
- 3 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to an order of eviction against the defendants.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff had established her case by producing the green card as proof of ownership of the suit land. The defendants, having failed to file a defence or attend court, were deemed to have trespassed onto the plaintiff's property without any lawful justification. The court held that the plaintiff was entitled to an eviction order as the registered proprietor, and that the defendants' continued occupation was unlawful. The court further ordered that the eviction be executed by the area OCS and awarded costs to the plaintiff.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the plaintiff. Eviction order granted. Costs awarded to the plaintiff.
Orders
- An order of eviction is issued against Morris Kirugi and Kagwiria Kirugi, their families and/or agents from L.R NKUENE/NKUMARI/1596.
- The eviction order shall be executed by the OCS for the area in which the suit land is situated.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MERUE&L NO.135 OF 2012
EUNICE NCABIRA ITHINJI .................................................................................PLAINTIFF
VS
MORRIS KIRUGI..............................................1ST DEFENDANTS/RESPONDENT
KAGWIRIA KIRUGI..........................................................2ND DEFENDANT/RESPODENT
JUDGMENT
The suit herein was filed in court by way of plaint. The plaintiff prays for judgment against the defendants in the following manner.
1. An order of eviction of the defendants, their families and/or agents from L.R NO. NKUENE NKUMARI/1596.
2. Costs of the suit.
An interlocutory judgment dated 22nd July, 2013 was entered against the defendants. The formal proof hearing took place on 7/8/2013.
The plaintiff gave evidence that she bought land parcel NO. NKUENE/NKUMARI/1596 but the defendants trespassed upon it in August 2012 and constructed a temporary mud house. They started cultivating the suit land but stopped. They are, however, living in the mud house.
The plaintiff produced a copy of the green card relating to the suit land which clearly shows that the land is registered in the name of EUNICE NCABIRA ITHIJI, herself. She produced a letter from her advocate dated 3/8/2012 which required the defendants to vacate the suit land. She gave evidence that they did not heed the demand contained in the said letter.
I am satisfied that the plaintiff is the owner of the suit land and that she has proved her case.
In the circumstances, I grant the prayers sought by the plaintiff in her plaint dated 16th October, 2012 as follows.
1. An order of eviction do issue against the defendants MORRIS KIRUGIand KAGWIRIA KIRUGI,their families and/or agents from L.R NKUENE/NKUMARI/1596.
2. The eviction order be executed by the OCSfor the area in which the suit land is situated.
3. Costs are awarded to the plaintiff against the defendants.
It is so ordered.
Written,Delivered and Signed in open Court at Meru this 7th day of August 2013 in the presence of:
Court clerk; Daniel
E. Ogoti holding brief for Kimathi Kiara for plaintiff
Plaintiff present.
P. M. NJOROGE JUDGE