[2022] KEELC 595 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff had proved, on a balance of probabilities, that he is the registered owner of the suit property, KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134, and that the defendants, having ceased to pay rent and refused to vacate after notice, are in wrongful occupation and are trespassers. The plaintiff is...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEELC 595 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: George Opondo Ooko; Defendant: Pius Oloo; Defendant: Sylvester Wanjala; Defendant: Susan Adoyo
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 437 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the plaintiff.
- Judges
- A Ombwayo
- Legal Topics
- Trespass to Land, Possession and Occupation, Injunctions, Mesne Profits
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
George Opondo Ooko
Plaintiff
Pius Oloo
Defendant
Sylvester Wanjala
Defendant
Susan Adoyo
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff is the registered proprietor of KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134 and entitled to exclusive possession.
- 2 Whether the defendants are trespassers on the suit property.
- 3 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to an injunction, vacant possession, general damages for trespass, mesne profits, and costs.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff had proved, on a balance of probabilities, that he is the registered owner of the suit property, KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134, and that the defendants, having ceased to pay rent and refused to vacate after notice, are in wrongful occupation and are trespassers. The plaintiff is entitled to exclusive possession, an injunction restraining the defendants from remaining on the property, vacant possession, general damages for trespass, mesne profits at KES 14,000 per month from April 2010 to the date of judgment, and costs. The absence of any defence or contrary evidence from the defendants further strengthened the plaintiff's case. The court applied statutory...
Court Disposition
Judgment for the plaintiff.
Orders
- The plaintiff is entitled to exclusive and unimpeded right of possession and occupation of KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134.
- The defendants are trespassers and are not entitled to remain on the suit property.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
37 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT KISUMU
ELC CASE NO. 437 OF 2015
GEORGE OPONDO OOKO............................................................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
PIUS OLOO............................................................................................1ST DEFENDANT
SYLVESTER WANJALA.....................................................................2ND DEFENDANT
SUSAN ADOYO....................................................................................3RD DEFENDANT
JUDGMENT
George Opondo Oloo, (hereinafter referred to the Plaintiff) has come to curt for a declaration that:
a) The plaintiff is entitled to exclusive and unimpeded right of possession and occupation of all that piece of land known as KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134.
b) The defendants whether by themselves or their servants or agents or otherwise howsoever are wrongfully in occupation of the suit property and are accordingly, trespassers on the same.
c) The defendants whether by themselves or their servants or agents or otherwise howsoever re not entitled to remain on the suit property.
d) An injunction restraining the defendants whether by themselves or through their agents, servants or otherwise howsoever from remaining on or continuing in occupation of the suit property.
e) Vacant possession of the suit property.
f) General damages for trespass.
g) Mesne profits.
h) Costs of this suit and interest thereon at such rate and for such period of time as this honourable court may deem fit to grant.
The Plaintiff asserts that he is legally registered proprietor of the KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134 measuring 0. 09Ha having purchased the same from James Onyango Josiah and a title deed issued to him. He produced copies of the said title deed. The Plaintiff gave evidence that the defendants were his tenants between 2007 and 2009. He asked them to move out but they refused.
They are occupying his land illegally. They were paying 14,000/= per month. He produced the receipts. PW2, Stephen Odhiambo Jaoko stated that he used to collect rent from the defendants and remit it to the plaintiff. The Defendants were given notices to vacate but they refused.
The defendants were served with hearing notice but they did not attend hearing. They were informed of the court order to file submission but they did not.
I do find that the plaintiff has satisfied the court that he is the registered owner of the suit property.
Moreover, the defendants were paying rent but stopped doing so for their own reasons.
The plaintiff has proved his case on a balance of probabilities. I do grant orders:
a) The plaintiff is entitled to exclusive and unimpeded right of possession and occupation of all that piece of land known as KISUMU/KANYAKWAR ‘A’/134.
b) The defendants whether by themselves or their servants or agents or otherwise howsoever are wrongfully in occupation of the suit property and are accordingly, trespassers on the same.
c) The defendants whether by themselves or their servants or agents or otherwise howsoever re not entitled to remain on the suit property.
d) An injunction restraining the defendants whether by themselves or through their agents, servants or otherwise howsoever from remaining on or continuing in occupation of the suit property.
e) Vacant possession of the suit property.
f) General damages for trespass.
Mesne profits of Kshs. 14,000 per months from April 2010 to-date.
Costs of the suit to the plaintiff.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT KISUMU THIS 23rd DAY OF MARCH, 2022
ANTONY OMBWAYO
JUDGE
This Judgment has been delivered to the parties by electronic mail due to measures restricting court operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in the light of the directions issued by his Lordship, the Chief Justice on 15th March 2020.