[2018] KEELC 1688 (KLR)

[2018] KEELC 1688 (KLR)

The court found that the defendant's late father was only granted a personal, non-transferable license to occupy 6 acres of the suit land during his lifetime as an act of appreciation for his services. Upon his death, any right to occupy the land reverted to the landowner, and the defendant, as his son, could not...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2018] KEELC 1688 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Gatatha Farmers Co. Ltd; Defendant: Otieno Okiro; Defendant: Pascal Nyongesa; Defendant: Samson Masabo Simatwa; Interested Party: Kaitet Tea Estate 1977 Limited
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Kitale
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment & Land Case 57 of 2011
Procedural Posture
Land Case / Judgment
Outcome
Plaintiff's claim allowed in full.
Judges
FM Njoroge
Legal Topics
Trespass to Land, Adverse Possession, Lifetime Licence, Limitation of Actions, Ownership Disputes
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Trespass to Land Adverse Possession Lifetime Licence Limitation of Actions Ownership Disputes

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Parties

Gatatha Farmers Co. Ltd

Plaintiff

Otieno Okiro

Defendant

Pascal Nyongesa

Defendant

Samson Masabo Simatwa

Defendant

Kaitet Tea Estate 1977 Limited

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Land Case / Judgment

  1. 1 Is the plaintiff's suit properly before court?
  2. 2 How much land was the defendant's father entitled to use and occupy?
  3. 3 Does the defendant have any entitlement to title to the land formerly occupied by his late father?

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the defendant's late father was only granted a personal, non-transferable license to occupy 6 acres of the suit land during his lifetime as an act of appreciation for his services. Upon his death, any right to occupy the land reverted to the landowner, and the defendant, as his son, could not inherit or claim a greater right than his father possessed. The defendant's continued occupation beyond the permitted acreage and after his father's death constituted trespass. The court further held that the plaintiff's suit was not time-barred, as trespass is a continuing cause of action and limitation runs from the last act of trespass. The sale of the land to the interested...

Court Disposition

Plaintiff's claim allowed in full.

Orders

  • A declaration is issued that the plaintiff is the rightful owner of LR. Nos. 5709, 5710/2, 5711/6137 and 8190 situated at Endebess measuring 1800 acres or thereabouts.
  • A permanent injunction restraining the defendants, their servants and/or agents or any other person claiming through them from entering, trespassing, or encroaching upon the plaintiff's LR. Nos. 5709, 5710/2, 5711/6137 and 8190.