[2020] KEHC 3867 (KLR)
The court found that the existence of a document alleged to be a will, written in Kimeru and referenced by both parties, is central to determining whether the grant of letters of administration intestate was appropriate and whether the distribution of the estate was valid. However, since no certified translation of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 3867 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Jennifer Karwirwa; Applicant: Ruth Mukuba; Applicant: Lucy Kagwiria; Applicant: Fridah Nkatha; Applicant: Nancy Naito; Applicant: Ann Gacheri; Respondent: Martin Koome
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 472 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Partial Ruling on Application for Revocation of Grant
- Outcome
- Ruling on revocation of grant deferred pending certified translation of alleged will.
- Judges
- F Gikonyo
- Legal Topics
- Revocation of Grant, Probate and Administration, Validity of Will, Testate Vs Intestate Succession
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Jennifer Karwirwa
Applicant
Ruth Mukuba
Applicant
Lucy Kagwiria
Applicant
Fridah Nkatha
Applicant
Nancy Naito
Applicant
Ann Gacheri
Applicant
Martin Koome
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Partial Ruling on Application for Revocation of Grant
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the discovery of a written will after confirmation of grant renders the grant of letters of administration intestate inappropriate.
- 2 Whether distribution of the estate contrary to the will is void and inconsistent with the wishes of the deceased.
- 3 Whether the court should defer determination pending certified translation of the alleged will.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the existence of a document alleged to be a will, written in Kimeru and referenced by both parties, is central to determining whether the grant of letters of administration intestate was appropriate and whether the distribution of the estate was valid. However, since no certified translation of the document was provided, the court could not make a final determination on the application for revocation of the grant. In the interest of justice and to ensure a fair process, the court deferred its ruling and ordered that a certified translation of the alleged will be provided and served within 14 days. The outcome of the revocation application will depend on the content...
Court Disposition
Ruling on revocation of grant deferred pending certified translation of alleged will.
Orders
- Applicants to provide and serve a certified translation of the alleged will within 14 days.
- Ruling on application for revocation scheduled for 16th September 2020.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MERU
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 472 OF 2013
FORMERLY CAUSE NO. 15 OF 2006 (NAIROBI)
In the Matter of the Estate Of Rufus Kiambati M’ikuri (Deceased)
JENNIFER KARWIRWA .…………….. 1ST APPLICANT
RUTH MUKUBA ……………………… 2ND APPLICANT
LUCY KAGWIRIA …………………… 3RD APPLICANT
FRIDAH NKATHA …………………… 4TH APPLICANT
NANCY NAITO ……………………….. 5TH APPLICANT
ANN GACHERI ……………………….. 6TH APPLICANT
-versus-
MARTIN KOOME ……………………... RESPONDENT
PARTIAL RULING
1. Before me is a summons dated 16/05/2019 which seeks for revocation and or annulment of the grant of letters of administration issued to the late Glory Nkuene Rufus and Martin Koome Kiambati on 9/10/2007. The application is expressed to be brought pursuant to Section 76 of the Law of Succession Act CAP 160 Laws of Kenya and Rules 44, 49 and 73 of the Probate and Administration Rules. I have considered arguments that were presented for and against the application. One stands out; that, subsequent to the confirmation of grant, a written will of the deceased dated 26/12/1999 was discovered. According to them, the will distributed the estate between the two houses. On this basis, the applicants made two arguments. One, that the presence of a will makes the grant of letters of administration intestate inappropriate. Two, that, as long as the distribution of the estate was not in accordance with the will, but as if the estate is an intestate estate, the distribution is inconsistent with the wishes of the deceased expressed in the will, and therefore, void.
2. As a matter of law and procedure, where there is a will with named executors, the court will make a grant of probate. Except, however, where the will does not name any executor or the named executors have renounced the executorship or for any reason a grant of probate cannot be made to the named executor or executors, the court will make a grant of letters of administration with will annexed. I will not forget also that a grant of letters of administration with will annexed will be issued for the part that is un-administered due to death of the sole executor or all executors, or where the will partially disposes of the estate, the court will make a grant of letters of administration in respect of the part of the estate that has not been disposed of testamentary.
3. Having stated the law, I have looked at the document annexed hereto. It is written in Kimeru language. No translation of the said document that was provided by the parties. I do note however that the respondent also alluded to the document. Apparently, both parties seem to refer to the said document albeit to support their varied positions on the grant. It could be that the parties place value on the document. In the circumstances, I do not wish to ignore the document. I find it judicious for the court to be properly seized of the said document before it can make a final determination of the application for revocation. This is out of abundance of caution and as a matter of justice especially because this is a succession proceeding.
4. The court will, however, be in a position to consider the document upon a certified translation thereto being provided. Accordingly, I will defer the ruling on revocation of grant and order that a certified translation of the alleged be provided to court and served by the applicants within 14 days of today. Ruling on application for revocation on 16th September 2020.
5. It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered at Meru this 29th day of July 2020
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F. GIKONYO
JUDGE