[2021] KEHC 1673 (KLR)
The High Court determined that it lacks jurisdiction to revoke a grant issued by the Magistrate's Court except on appeal or where the pecuniary jurisdiction exceeds that of the Magistrate's Court. The application was therefore incompetent, as the proper forum for such an application is the Magistrate's Court that...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 1673 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Wilkister Okinyo Mola; Respondent: Meshack Ochieng Molo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Siaya
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Succession Cause E026 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Revocation of Grant
- Outcome
- application dismissed for want of jurisdiction
- Judges
- RE Aburili
- Legal Topics
- Succession Procedure, Revocation of Grant, Jurisdiction of Magistrates Court
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Wilkister Okinyo Mola
Applicant
Meshack Ochieng Molo
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Revocation of Grant
Legal Issues
- 1 Does the High Court have jurisdiction to revoke a grant issued by a Magistrate's Court in succession matters under current law?
- 2 Was the application for revocation of grant properly filed before the High Court?
Ratio Decidendi
The High Court determined that it lacks jurisdiction to revoke a grant issued by the Magistrate's Court except on appeal or where the pecuniary jurisdiction exceeds that of the Magistrate's Court. The application was therefore incompetent, as the proper forum for such an application is the Magistrate's Court that issued the grant. The applicant's counsel should have been aware of the statutory provisions conferring jurisdiction on the Magistrate's Court for revocation of grants. Consequently, the application was dismissed and the applicant was directed to file the appropriate application before the relevant court.
Court Disposition
application dismissed for want of jurisdiction
Orders
- The application for revocation of grant is dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
- The applicant is at liberty to file an appropriate application before the relevant Magistrate's Court.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT SIAYA
MISC. SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. E026 OF 2021
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LATE SHADRACK MULANGO OWENGA (DECEASED)
WILKISTER OKINYO MOLA...................................................................APPLICANT
VERSUS
MESHACK OCHIENG MOLO..........................ADMINISTRATOR/RESPONDENT
RULING
1. The Application subject of this ruling is dated 28th October 2021 filed before Kisumu High Court. The same seeks for revocation of grant issued to the Respondent Meshack Ochieng Molo on 19/8/2020 in respect of land parcel No. Siaya/Mahaya/3756 by Bondo PM’S Court in Succession Cause No. 195/2019 in respect of the estate of the late Shadrack Mulango Owenga.
2. The matter was then by an order made on 1/11/2015 by the Hon. J. Kamau J of Kisumu High Court, transferred to this court because of geographical jurisdictional issues.
3. When counsel for the applicant appeared before me this morning and sought for directions, the court brought to his attention the provisions of the Law of Succession Act and the Magistrate’s court Act that confer jurisdiction on the magistrate’s court to revoke grants issued by the same court unlike previously when only the High court had jurisdiction to revoke grants issued by the lower court.
4. Ms. Omeda has now appeared on behalf of Mr. Omulama and confirmed the legal position.
5. Section 23 of the Magistrate’s Act is clear on the jurisdiction of the magistrate’s Court in succession matters and the applicant’s counsel ought to have known this before engaging in filing such an application in Kisumu High Court then the Kisumu High Court had to transfer the matter to this court which is now being asked to return the matter to Bondo PM’s court.
6. As this court is devoid of the jurisdiction to revoke a grant issued by the Magistrates’ court other than on appeal or where the pecuniary jurisdiction exceeds that of the magistrate’s court, I find this application incompetent, the same is dismissed. Let the applicant file an appropriate application before the relevant court for consideration.
7. Orders accordingly.
8. This file is closed.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT SIAYA THIS 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2021
R.E. ABURILI
JUDGE