[2018] KEHC 8676 (KLR)
The court held that the sale of Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 was void because it was conducted without the consent of all beneficiaries and before the issuance of a certificate of confirmation of grant, contrary to sections 45 and 82 of the Law of Succession Act. Consequently, the property must be distributed in accordance...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 8676 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Daniel Otieno Orach; Respondent: Joan Auma Orach
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 734 of 2009
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Distribution of Estate and Confirmation of Grant
- Outcome
- Partial distribution ordered; confirmation of grant adjourned pending compliance.
- Judges
- DAS Majanja
- Legal Topics
- Succession, Administration of Estates, Distribution of Property, Consent of Beneficiaries
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Daniel Otieno Orach
Applicant
Joan Auma Orach
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Distribution of Estate and Confirmation of Grant
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sale of Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 without all beneficiaries' consent and before confirmation of grant is valid.
- 2 How the disputed properties Kisumu/Got Abuoro/035 and Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 should be distributed among the beneficiaries.
- 3 Whether the purchaser of Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 is entitled to a refund.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the sale of Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 was void because it was conducted without the consent of all beneficiaries and before the issuance of a certificate of confirmation of grant, contrary to sections 45 and 82 of the Law of Succession Act. Consequently, the property must be distributed in accordance with section 40 of the Act, which requires equal distribution among the houses of the deceased. The widows who benefited from the void sale are required to refund the purchase price to the buyer. The confirmation of grant is adjourned pending compliance with these orders.
Court Disposition
Partial distribution ordered; confirmation of grant adjourned pending compliance.
Orders
- Kisumu/Got Abuoro/035 and Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 to be distributed equally among Jane Akach Orach, Margaret Arwa Orach, Joan Auma Orach, and Phoebe Obiya Orach.
- Widows to refund Henry Odhiambo Ojude Kshs 1,050,000 within 60 days or as agreed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT AT KISUMU
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 734 OF 2009
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF
DAUDI ORACH ADONGO (DECEASED)
AND IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION
BETWEEN
DANIEL OTIENO ORACH ..…………..APPLICANT/ADMINISTRATOR
AND
JOAN AUMA ORACH ………..…...RESPONDENT/ADMINISTRATOR
RULING
1. This matter concerns the estate of DAUDI ORACH ADONGO of Abwao Kabar West in Kisumu County. He died on 18th June 1990. During his lifetime, he married five wives and had 15 children. He also left behind several properties. After Daniel Otieno Orach and Joan Auma Orach were appointed administrators of the estate by the grant of letters of administration dated 22nd June 2010, the estate went into a lull and was not administered until a summons for revocation was filed on 28th July 2015 to revoke the grant on the ground that two of the deceased’s sons; Daniel Otieno Orach and Paul Omondi Orach were allegedly selling one of the properties Kisumu/Got Abuor/435.
2. When the matter came up before me on 23rd June 2016, I directed that the administrators or any them to file an application for confirmation of the grant so that the estate may be wound up. That application was heard in part and I allowed the family to sit and agree on the mode of distribution. The parties have since agreed on the mode of distribution but the problem in finalizing this estate is that the distribution of two properties; Kisumu/Got Abuoro/035 and Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435. The parties confirm that all the other properties have no dispute.
3. I heard the parties and their advocates and resolution of the matter is complicated by the fact that Kisumu/Got Abuoro/435 was sold to Henry Odhiambo Ojude. According to the depositions and evidence available, the family decided that the property should be sold to support the upkeep of the deceased’s surviving widows; Margaret Arwa Orach, Joan Auma Orach and Phoebe Obiya Orach. They consented to the sale but it is now opposed by Daniel Otieno Orach.
4. One thing is of course clear that unless all beneficiaries consent, the court cannot sanction the sale of part of the deceased’s estate without a Certificate of Confirmation of Grant. The sale of the property is therefore void for all intents as purposes. Such a sale or agreement is void as it is contrary to section 45 and 82 of the Law of Succession Act (Chapter 80 of the Laws of Kenya).
5. Having so held, the only resolution is to distribute the properties in accordance with section 40 of the Law of Succession Act. I distribute Kisumu/Got Abuoro/035 and 435 to each house equally that is to Jane Akach Orach, Margaret Arwa Orach, Joan Auma Orach and Phoebe Obiya Orach in equal shares. The parties are given an opportunity to agree on how the shares in each house are to be distributed.
6. In the meantime, if parties are not agreed on how to share the property within each family, the said widows shall refund Henry Odhiambo Ojude the sum of Kshs 1,050,000/= within 60 days or such time as they may agree.
7. Subject to the orders I have made, the summons for confirmation dated 1st August 2016 is accordingly adjourned pending compliance with these orders.
DATED and DELIVERED at KISUMU this 1st day of February 2018.
D. S. MAJANJA
JUDGE
Mr Anyul instructed by D. O. E. Anyul and Company Advocates for the applicant
Mr Achura instructed Amondi and Company Advocates for the respondent and beneficiaries.