[2024] KEHC 6231 (KLR)

Source-derived case information.

Citation: [2024] KEHC 6231 (KLR)
Parties: Applicant: Sigismond K. Njeru; Applicant: Henry Paul Ireri Njeru; Applicant: Christina Warue Njeru
Court: High Court
Court Station: High Court at Meru
Jurisdiction: Kenya
Case Number: Succession Cause 23 of 2023
Procedural Posture: Succession Cause / Ruling on Application for Review of Grant Confirmation Orders
Outcome: application for review allowed; certificate of confirmation of grant reviewed and rectified; estate redistributed; mention set for compliance; costs in the cause
Judges: TW Cherere
Legal Topics: Review of Grant, Confirmation of Grant, Family Trusts, Distribution of Estate, Procedure for Review, Beneficiary Rights
Source Language: en

Family and Children Civil Procedure Review of Grant Confirmation of Grant Family Trusts Distribution of Estate Procedure for Review Beneficiary Rights

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 8 Party arguments 2

Parties

Sigismond K. Njeru

Applicant

Henry Paul Ireri Njeru

Applicant

Christina Warue Njeru

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Succession Cause / Ruling on Application for Review of Grant Confirmation Orders

Legal Issues

1 Whether the Certificate of Confirmation of Grant dated 30th November, 2023 should be reviewed and rectified due to inoperability and issues regarding trading assets and family trust.
2 Whether the application for review meets the legal threshold under Section 80 of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 45(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules.
3 Whether the estate assets, particularly those vested in a family trust, can be distributed as previously ordered.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the Certificate of Confirmation of Grant dated 30th November, 2023 was incapable of being executed due to the nature of the assets, which included trading assets subject to securities and assets vested in a family trust, which by law cannot engage in trading activities. The application for review was made without unreasonable delay and was unopposed by any beneficiary. The court applied the principles under Section 80 of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 45(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules, as well as the relevant provisions of the Succession Act and Trustees Perpetual Succession Act, to conclude that sufficient cause existed for review and rectification of the grant....

Court Disposition

application for review allowed; certificate of confirmation of grant reviewed and rectified; estate redistributed; mention set for compliance; costs in the cause

Orders

The Certificate of Confirmation of Grant dated 30th November, 2023 is reviewed and rectified; the estate is redistributed as specified in the ruling.
Immovable and movable assets are to be distributed as detailed, including specific land parcels, bank accounts, shares, and household items.

Full Case Text

Judgment text and source record

29 paragraphs

In re Estate of Protasio Njeru (Deceased) (Succession Cause 23 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 6231 (KLR) (16 May 2024) (Ruling)

Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 6231 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the High Court at Meru

Succession Cause 23 of 2023

TW Cherere, J

May 16, 2024

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PROTASIO NJERU (DECEASED) AND IN THE MATTER OF REVIEW OF ORDERS ISSUED ON 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2023

In the matter of

Sigismond K. Njeru

1st Executor

Henry Paul Ireri Njeru

2nd Executor

Christina Warue Njeru

3rd Executor

Ruling

Brief Facts 1. The grant in this matter was confirmed on 30th November, 2023. Petitioners have filed summons for review of orders dated 30th November, 2023 on the grounds that:1. The bulk of the assets are trading assets subject to various existing securities to several lenders2. That the assets were vested on a family trust3. The grant has become inoperative

2. The application is supported by an affidavit sworn by the Executors/Applicants on 30th April, 2024 who reiterate the grounds on the face of the application.

3. All the beneficiaries appeared before the court and indicated that they had no objection to the application

Analysis and Determination 4. I have considered the application in the light of the supporting affidavit, the annexures thereto and submission dated 30th April, 2024.

5. The law governing issues of review orders is anchored under Section 80 of the Civil procure Act and Order 45 (1) of the Civil Procedure Rules.

6. Under Order 45(1) of the Rules, a party seeking review must prove that the application is filed without unreasonable delay; discovery of new or important matter or evidence which after the exercise of due diligence, was not within his knowledge, or could not be produced by him at the time when the decree was passed or the order made; or on account of some mistake or error apparent on the face of the record or for any other sufficient reason. This position was emphasized in the case of In re Estate of Maero Tindi (Deceased) [2018] eKLR.

7. In Wangechi Kimita v Wakibiru Mutahi [1985] eKLR, Nyarangi JA stated as follows:“I see no reason why any other sufficient reason need be analogous with the other grounds in the order because clearly section 80 of the Civil Procedure Act confers an unfettered right to apply for a review and so the words “for any other sufficient reason” need not be analogous with the other grounds specified in the order”.

8. In the case of Sardar Mohamed v. Charan Singh Nand Singh [1959) E.A. 793, Farrell, J. applied a broad interpretation to section 80 of the Civil Procedure Act, holding that the section conferred an unfettered right to apply for review, and an unfettered discretion in the court to make such order as it thinks fit.

9. Section 47 of the Succession Act also gives this court inherent powers under Rule 73 of the Probate and Administration Rules to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the court.

10. Section 3D (2) (c) of the Trustees Perpetual Succession Act provides that a family trust is not a trading entity. It therefore prohibits a family trust from carrying on trading activities.

11. From the foregoing, I am satisfied that the Certificate of Confirmation of Grant dated 30th November, 2023 is incapable of being executed and that is sufficient cause for review of the same.

12. It is therefore hereby ordered1. The Certificate of Confirmation of Grant dated 30th November, 2023 is reviewed and rectified and the estate distributed as follows:a.Immovable AssetsA.Teavista Ridge Investments1. Ntima/Igoki/18802. Ntima/Igoki/43313. Nyambene/Kirindine A/45984. Nyambene/Kirindine A/27995. Nyambene/Kirindine A/11466. Nyambene/Kirindine A/1697. Nyambene/Kirindine A/1418. Nyambene/Kirindine A/1189. Nyambene/Kirindine A/74B.Ankamia Ridge Investments1. Tigania East/Ankamia/20532. Tigania East/Ankamia/54643. Tigania East/Ankamia/54744. Tigania East/Ankamia/54755. Tigania East/Ankamia/5476CKiegoi Ridge Investments1. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/1992. Kiegoi/Kinyanka /5443. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/6494. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/6905. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/7016. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/10807. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/11898. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/15859. Kiegoi/Kinyanka/158610. Nyaki/Giaki/60DMakennia Ridge Investments1. Ntima/Igoki/7792. Ntima/Igoki/20503. Ntima/Igoki/21354. Ntima/Igoki/2136ECobalt Sky Holdings Ltd1. Ntima/Igoki/40072. Ntima/Igoki/21343. Nyambene/Kirindine A/884. Nyambene/Kirindine A/20735. Nyambene/Kirindine A/25976. Nyambene/Kirindine A/36447. Nyambene/Kirindine A/38038. Nyaki/Giaki/11489. Nyaki/Giaki/163510. Nyaki/Giaki/186411. Nyaki/Giaki/275310. Nyaki/Thuura/240811. Tigania East/Ankamia/829612. Tigania East/Ankamia/597513. Tigania East/Ankamia/509114. Tigania East/Ankamia/479415. Tigania East/Ankamia/953216. Tigania East/Ankamia/547717. Amungenti A/180918. Amungenti A/1297919. Amungenti A/1298020. Amungenti A/1305221. Amungenti -50 Acres pending demarcation numbers22. Kiirua/Ruiri/1413b.Movable Propertyi.Bank AccountSums of money held in my account at Equity Bank Account Number 0195070736 - to be deposited to Sigismond. K. Njeru Account ID.16107308ii.Shares1. Njeru Industries 7500 Shares to Christina Warue Njeru2. Master Macadamia Ltd 30 Shares to Christina Warue Njeru3. Mt. Kenya Tea Factory Compamy 600 Shares to Teaberry Investment Group Limited4. Angies Tea Ltd 250 Shares to Sigpro Holding Company Limitediii.House Hold Itemsa.Electronic Equipment (b) Clothing (c) Furniture to be distributed equally among the beneficiaries2. Mention on 03rd October, 2024 to confirm compliance transmission3. Costs shall be in the cause

DELIVERED AT MERU 16TH DAY OF MAY 2024WAMAE. T. W. CHEREREJUDGEAppearancesCourt Assistants – Munene/KinotiFor Applicants - Ms. Dianah & Mr. Anampiu for Ayub K. Anampiu & Company Advocates

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