[2018] KEHC 5645 (KLR)
The court found that the Plaintiff had entered into a valid and enforceable sale agreement with the Defendants for the purchase of the suit land, as evidenced by the written and witnessed agreement dated 28th November, 2015. The Defendants received the full purchase price but failed to transfer the land or give...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 5645 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Festus Kioko Komu; Defendant: Katambo Ndui Mwailo; Defendant: Solomon Mwendwa Kumala
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 174 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Plaintiff's claim allowed.
- Judges
- OA Angote
- Legal Topics
- Sale of Land, Specific Performance, Vacant Possession, Contract Enforcement
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Festus Kioko Komu
Plaintiff
Katambo Ndui Mwailo
Defendant
Solomon Mwendwa Kumala
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to transfer and vacant possession of the suit land purchased from the Defendants.
- 2 Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to a refund of the purchase price in the alternative.
- 3 Whether the sale agreement complied with statutory requirements under the Law of Contract Act.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the Plaintiff had entered into a valid and enforceable sale agreement with the Defendants for the purchase of the suit land, as evidenced by the written and witnessed agreement dated 28th November, 2015. The Defendants received the full purchase price but failed to transfer the land or give vacant possession. The agreement complied with Section 3(3) of the Law of Contract Act. Since the Defendants did not contest the claim, the Plaintiff's evidence was uncontroverted. The court held that the Plaintiff had proved his case on a balance of probabilities and was entitled to the transfer and possession of the land, as well as costs of the suit.
Court Disposition
Plaintiff's claim allowed.
Orders
- The Defendants to transfer to the Plaintiff and vacate the unsurveyed parcel of land bordering Wambua Katuku, Maleve Munyoki and Mwendwa Ngau.
- The Defendants are restrained from entering or remaining upon the said land.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT MACHAKOS
ELC. CASE NO. 174 OF 2017
FESTUS KIOKO KOMU..................................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
KATAMBO NDUI MWAILO..................................1ST DEFENDANT
SOLOMON MWENDWA KUMALA.....................2ND DEFENDANT
JUDGEMENT
1. In his plaint filed on 11th April, 2017 and dated 6th February, 2017, the Plaintiff averred that he purchased an unsurveyed parcel of land bordering Wambua Katuku, Maleva Munyoki and Mwendwa Ngau from the Defendants; that he also purchased a path from the Defendants to access the suit land and that the Defendants have refused to give him vacant possession of the suit land.
2. The Plaintiff is seeking for a refund of Kshs.364,200/- from the Defendants with interest. In the alternative, the Plaintiff wants the Defendants to be compelled to transfer the suit land to him.
3. Although the Defendants were duly served with the Summons to Enter Appearance and the Plaint, they neither entered appearance nor filed a Defence. The matter proceeded for hearing on 7th February, 2018 when the Plaintiff testified.
4. The Plaintiff, Pw 1, informed the court that he entered into a sale agreement with the Defendants for the purchase of the suit land on 28th November, 2015; that he paid to the Defendants a total of Kshs.364,200/- for the land and that the Defendants have refused to vacate the land they sold.
5. The Plaintiff produced in evidence the agreement dated 28th November, 2015. The said agreement describes the suit land as the land bordering Wambua Kituku, the Plaintiff`s land and the land belonging to Maleve Munyoki. The agreement was duly signed by the Defendants and the Plaintiff and was witnessed by two witnesses.
6. I have perused the said agreement. The agreement complies with the provisions of Section 3 (3) of the Law of Contract Act. In the circumstances, and considering that the Plaintiff`s evidence was not controverted by the Defendants, I find and hold that the Plaintiff has proved his case on a balance of probabilities.
7. I therefore allow the Plaint dated 6th February, 2017 as follows;
a. The Defendants to transfer to the Plaintiff and vacate the unsurveyed parcel of land bordering Wambua Katuku, Maleve Munyoki and Mwendwa Ngau.
b. The Defendants are hereby restrained from entering or remaining upon the land described in (a) above.
c. The Defendants to pay the costs of the suit.
DATED, DELIVERED AND SIGNED IN MACHAKOS THIS 21st DAY OF MAY, 2018.
O.A. ANGOTE
JUDGE