[2022] KEHC 16658 (KLR)
The court held that since the order confirming the grant and distributing the estate has not been challenged or set aside, it remains binding on all parties. The 1st respondent's continued assertion of sole entitlement and maintenance of a caution on the property is contrary to the court's order and is therefore...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 16658 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: James Muriithi Kioga; Applicant: Evangeline Mwarania; Respondent: Joseph Kimathi; Respondent: Lucy Njeri; Respondent: Kathure Manene
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 677 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Post Confirmation Application to Lift Caution and Enforce Distribution
- Outcome
- Application allowed; caution to be lifted and security provided for subdivision.
- Judges
- TW Cherere
- Legal Topics
- Succession of Estates, Confirmation of Grant, Land Distribution, Caution on Land, Beneficiary Rights
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
James Muriithi Kioga
Applicant
Evangeline Mwarania
Applicant
Joseph Kimathi
Respondent
Lucy Njeri
Respondent
Kathure Manene
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Post Confirmation Application to Lift Caution and Enforce Distribution
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the caution placed by the 1st respondent on LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/164 should be lifted to allow execution of the confirmed grant.
- 2 Whether the 1st respondent is entitled to resist distribution of the estate contrary to the confirmed grant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that since the order confirming the grant and distributing the estate has not been challenged or set aside, it remains binding on all parties. The 1st respondent's continued assertion of sole entitlement and maintenance of a caution on the property is contrary to the court's order and is therefore misguided. The caution cannot be allowed to hinder the lawful execution of the court's distribution order. The Land Registrar is directed to lift the caution, and security is to be provided during subdivision to ensure compliance with the court's orders.
Court Disposition
Application allowed; caution to be lifted and security provided for subdivision.
Orders
- The Land Registrar Meru is directed to lift the caution placed on LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/164 on March 1, 2016.
- OCS Murungurune is directed to provide security during the subdivision of LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/164.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
In re Estate of Manene Kioga (Deceased) (Succession Cause 677 of 2013) [2022] KEHC 16658 (KLR) (21 December 2022) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2022] KEHC 16658 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Meru
Succession Cause 677 of 2013
TW Cherere, J
December 21, 2022
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MANENE KIOGA (DECEASED)
Between
James Muriithi Kioga
1st Applicant
Evangeline Mwarania
2nd Applicant
and
Joseph Kimathi
1st Respondent
Lucy Njeri
2nd Respondent
Kathure Manene
3rd Respondent
Ruling
1. By an order dated October 17, 2019, Ongíjo, J made the following orders:1. Grant made to Joseph Kimathi on September 19, 2019 is hereby confirmed and estate distributed as follows: -LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/164 to be shared as followsa.Joseph Kimathi – 1. 50 acresb.Lucy Njeri – 0. 50 acresc.Kathure Manene – 0. 50 acresd.1. 00 acre due to Tarasila Mbuthu Manene- now deceased to be shared equally between Joseph Kimathi, Lucy Njeri and Kathure Manene ie 0. 33, 0. 33 and 0. 34
2. I have considered the application dated July 26, 2021 in the light of the supporting affidavit and the response by the 1st respondent. Whereas there is no evidence that the order of the court distributing the estate has been challenged, the 1st respondent still holds the view that he is the only one entitled to deceased’s estate and the apprehension that he might resist distribution is therefore real.
3. 1st respondent’s explanation that he cautioned deceased’s estate in LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/164 on the ground that other beneficiaries are not entitles to a share of the same is in view of the order dated October 17, 2019 misguided and the caution cannot be allowed to continue hindering the execution of this court’s orders.
4. For the foregoing reasons, it is hereby ordered that:1. The Land Registrar Meru is directed to lift the caution placed on LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/164 on March 1, 20162. OCS Murungurune is directed to provide security during the subdivision of LR Abogeta/U-Kiungone/1643. Mention on December 15, 2022 to confirm compliance with the abovementioned orders and for further orders
DATED AT MERU THIS 21ST DAY OF DECEMBER 2022WAMAE TW CHEREREJUDGEAppearancesCourt Assistant - Morris KinotiFor 1st Applicant - Mr Mwirigi for Mwirigi Kaburu & Co AdvocatesFor 2nd applicant - N/AFor 1st respondent - N/AFor 2nd respondent - N/AFor 3rd respondent - N/A