[2021] KEHC 4017 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant, having been the one who applied for and obtained the confirmation of grant, could not, after 20 years, seek to overturn the same on grounds that should have been raised at the time. The delay was inordinate, and the application amounted to an abuse of court process. The court...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 4017 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Noah Bushuru Shitabule; Respondent: Jane Wakwera Otengo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kakamega
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 74 of 2000
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Preliminary Objection to Summons for Revocation of Grant
- Outcome
- summons for revocation struck out as abuse of court process
- Judges
- DN Musyoka
- Legal Topics
- Succession, Revocation of Grant, Abuse of Process
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Noah Bushuru Shitabule
Applicant
Jane Wakwera Otengo
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Preliminary Objection to Summons for Revocation of Grant
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the summons for revocation of the certificate of confirmation of grant is an abuse of court process.
- 2 Whether the applicant can seek to overturn a grant confirmed on his own application after 20 years.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant, having been the one who applied for and obtained the confirmation of grant, could not, after 20 years, seek to overturn the same on grounds that should have been raised at the time. The delay was inordinate, and the application amounted to an abuse of court process. The court emphasized the need for finality in litigation and the responsibility of administrators to act diligently. Consequently, the summons for revocation was struck out.
Court Disposition
summons for revocation struck out as abuse of court process
Orders
- The summons for revocation is struck out.
- Each party shall bear their own costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
13 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KAKAMEGA
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 74 OF 2000
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BUSHURU ESHITABULE JARED (DECEASED)
RULING
1. Representation to the intestate estate herein was committed to Noah Bushuru Shitabule and Jane Wakwera Otengo on 10th April 2000, and a grant of letters of administration intestate was duly issued, on even date.
2. The 2 administrators, Noah Bushuru Shitabule and Jane Wakwera Otengo, mounted a Motion, dated 19th October 2000, for confirmation of their grant. That application was granted on 19th October 2000, and the estate was devolved in the manner proposed in the application, and a certificate of confirmation of grant was issued of even date.
3. No action was taken in the matter since October 2000, until 13th July 2019, when Noah Bushuru Shitabule filed a summons for revocation, dated 13th July 2019, of the certificate of confirmation of grant dated 19th October 2000, and nullification of the transmission that was based on that certificate, and a fresh distribution of the estate.
4. I am invited to determine a preliminary objection to that summons for revocation. The confirmation of grant that is sought to be overturned, was obtained on the basis of an application that was brought by the applicant in the revocation application. It was his application. He now seeks to overturn what he invited the court to do, to distribute the estate based on his proposals, which the court endorsed. I find it odd that he is moving 20 years later to complain. If he was diligent as an administrator, he would have brought the application earlier. The issues he is raising now ought to have been raised 20 years ago. He has totally failed as administrator.
5. I agree that the summons is in abuse of court process. There should be an end to litigation. I hereby strike out the summons for revocation. Each party shall bear their own costs.
DELIVERED, DATED AND SIGNED IN OPEN COURT AT KAKAMEGA THIS 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2021
W MUSYOKA
JUDGE