[2010] KEHC 883 (KLR)
The court held that the issue of the effect of section 93(1) of the Law of Succession Act on properties already transferred to the Interested Party after confirmation of grant is substantial and must be properly addressed through a formal application. The submissions made on the point were impromptu and not...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2010] KEHC 883 (KLR)
- Parties
- Objector: Muthuka Munuve; Objector: Jonathan Kieti Musomba; Objector: Kilonzo Musomba; Objector: Samuel Mutinda Musomba; Petitioner: Beatrice Kathini Kiilu; Interested Party: Francis Mutula Mutiso
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 300 of 2002
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Interlocutory Ruling on Preliminary Objection and Directions
- Outcome
- No final determination; directions issued for formal application and matter stood over generally.
- Judges
- DW Mbuteti
- Legal Topics
- Succession, Revocation of Grant, Estate Administration
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Muthuka Munuve
Objector
Jonathan Kieti Musomba
Objector
Kilonzo Musomba
Objector
Samuel Mutinda Musomba
Objector
Beatrice Kathini Kiilu
Petitioner
Francis Mutula Mutiso
Interested Party
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Interlocutory Ruling on Preliminary Objection and Directions
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether section 93(1) of the Law of Succession Act bars revocation of grant in respect of properties already transferred to a third party after confirmation of grant.
- 2 Whether the preliminary objection on the effect of section 93(1) was properly raised in the context of the pending summons for revocation of grant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the issue of the effect of section 93(1) of the Law of Succession Act on properties already transferred to the Interested Party after confirmation of grant is substantial and must be properly addressed through a formal application. The submissions made on the point were impromptu and not sufficiently connected to the pending summons for revocation of grant. The court declined to make a determination on the preliminary objection at this stage and directed that an appropriate application be filed to allow for full arguments and an informed decision. The matter was stood over generally with costs in the cause.
Court Disposition
No final determination; directions issued for formal application and matter stood over generally.
Orders
- Parties to file a formal application regarding the effect of section 93(1) on properties transferred to the Interested Party after confirmation of grant.
- Matter stood over generally with costs in the cause.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 300 OF 2002
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MUSOMBA KIOKO (DECEASED)
1. MUTHUKA MUNUVE
2. JONATHAN KIETI MUSOMBA
3. KILONZO MUSOMBA
4. SAMUEL MUTINDA MUSOMBA ........................................ OBJECTORS
VERSUS
BEATRICE KATHINI KIILU .................... PETITIONER/ADMINITRATRIX
AND
FRANCIS MUTULA MUTISO ….................................. INTERESTED PARTY
R U L I N G
On 24th May 2010, the court was addressed regarding the effect of section 93 (1) of the Law of Succession Act, Cap 160 in respect to some properties which had comprised part of the estate of the Deceased herein, and which were transferred to the Interested Party by the Adminstratrix of the estate upon confirmation of the grant. What was coming up for hearing on that day were two applications as follows:-
1. Summons dated 26th August 2005 for revocation of grant.
2. Summons dated 18th April 2008 for preservation of assets of the estate pending disposal of the summons for revocation.
On 16th November 2009 it was directed by the court, in effect, that both applications be heard by way of oral evidence so that the Objectors’ and also the Interested Party’s claims in the estate can be determined.
As it happened, these two applications were not heard as directed on account of the submissions made on section 93 (1) aforesaid, on a rather impromptu basis. The submissions made were not put into proper perspective in relation to the two applications, particularly the summons for revocation of grant. It appears that the point raised was intended to be a preliminary objection to the summons for the revocation of grant, in so far as the properties already transferred to the Interested Party are concerned.
It seems to me that this is a serious issue that ought to be properly addressed by the learned counsels, preferably upon a formal application being made in that behalf. I therefore direct that an appropriate application be made regarding the properties transferred to the Interested Party after confirmation of grant, so that the court can be properly addressed in order to make an informed determination thereon. Let learned counsels therefore do the needful. In the meantime this matter will be stood over generally with costs in the cause. It is so ordered.
DATEDTHIS 21ST DAY OF OCTOBER 2010
H. P. G. WAWERU
JUDGE
DELIVERED THIS 22ND DAY OFOCTOBER, 2010