[2019] KEHC 6233 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant holds the property Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 in trust for herself and the children of the deceased, as evidenced by the certificate of confirmation of grant and the title deed. The property does not generate income for the estate, and the applicant's proposal to sell it and use the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 6233 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Ann Njeri Kamau; Respondent: Ann Wairimu Karanja
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 821 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Dissolution of Trust and Leave to Sell Property
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- AG Ndung'u
- Legal Topics
- Administration of Estates, Trusts in Succession, Sale of Estate Property, Beneficiaries Interests
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Ann Njeri Kamau
Applicant
Ann Wairimu Karanja
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Dissolution of Trust and Leave to Sell Property
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the trust in respect of Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 should be dissolved to allow its sale for the benefit of the deceased's children.
- 2 Whether the applicant should be granted leave to sell the property and apply the proceeds to develop another parcel for the beneficiaries.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant holds the property Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 in trust for herself and the children of the deceased, as evidenced by the certificate of confirmation of grant and the title deed. The property does not generate income for the estate, and the applicant's proposal to sell it and use the proceeds to develop another parcel (LR No 6207 Kampi ya Moto/Kampi ya Moto Plot No 39) is in the best interests of the beneficiaries. The court determined that dissolving the trust and allowing the sale would add value to the estate and benefit the children, and therefore granted the orders sought in prayers 2 and 3 of the application.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- The trust in respect of Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 is dissolved.
- The applicant is granted leave to sell Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
33 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NAKURU
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO 821 OF 2015
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF
JOB KIPLAGAT KURGAT...........................(DECEASED)
VERSUS
ANN NJERI KAMAU
ANN WAIRIMU KARANJA.......................PETITIONERS
RULING
1. This application before court is dated 20/3/19. The orders sought are;
1. Spent
2. THAT the trust in respect of property known as Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 and held by the applicant in trust for her children be dissolved and the applicant be granted leave to sell the said property.
3. THAT the proceeds of the sale be applied to develop the parcel of land known as L.R No 6207 KAMPI YA MOTO/KAMPI YA MOTO PLOT NO 39 and the developed property be held in trust for the children.
4. THAT the cost of this suit be in the cause.
2. The application is housed on grounds viz;
1. THAT the applicant holds parcel of land known as Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 for herself and in trust for the children of the deceased.
2. THAT the property does not generate any income to the estate.
3. THAT the applicant wants the trust in respect to this property to be dissolved so that she can sell off the parcel of land and thereafter fund the proposed residential development on L.R NO 6207 KAMPI YA MOTO/KAMPI YA MOTOR PLOT NO 39 project for the benefit of the deceased’s children.
3. It is supported by the affidavit of Ann Njeri Kamau.
4. The gist of the application/the grounds it is based on and the supporting affidavit is that Ann Njeri Kamau was issued with letters of administration of the estate of Job K Kurgat deceased.
5. Among other properties she holds property Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 in trust for herself and the children of the deceased. This property brings no income.
6. She proposes to dispose off the property so that she can fund the proposed development on LR NO 6207 KAMPI YA MOTOR/KAMPI YA MOTO PLOT NO 39 project for the benefit of the deceased’s children.
7. It is therefore necessary to dissolve the trust to enable the intended sale.
8. I have considered the application and the affidavit evidence. I have had due regard to the record of proceedings herein.
9. The applicant holds title No Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 in trust for herself and the children of the deceased as per the certificate of confirmation of grant dated 15/3/17 and as evidenced in the resultant title deed issued on 19/7/17.
10. She now proposes to embark on a residential development on LR No 6207 Kampi ya Moto/Kampi ya Moto Plot No 39. She proposes to sell Title No Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 to raise the necessary funds.
11. It is true for a fact that Njoro/Ngata Block 2/3141 is held in trust by her for herself and the children.
12. On the totality of the material before court, it is quite clear that the dissolution of the trust herein is in the best interests of the beneficiaries. The intended sale will only add value to the benefits by the beneficiaries and am persuaded that it is desirable that the trust be dissolved.
13. With the result that that I allow the Notice of Motion dated 20/3/19 in terms of prayers 2 and 3. Costs shall be in the cause.
DatedandDeliveredatNakuruthis20THday ofJUNE, 2019.
A. K. NDUNG'U
JUDGE