[2024] KEHC 9965 (KLR)
The court found that the consent recorded by the beneficiaries, save for Janet Kanini Weru, was valid and that Janet's share in the estate was preserved despite her opting out of the proceedings. The absence of her endorsement did not prejudice her entitlement, as the schedule of distribution accounted for her...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 9965 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Happy Koki Wambua; Applicant: Mary Waeni Wambua; Respondent: Janet Kanini Weru
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 2557 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Application allowed; grant confirmed as per the consent and attached schedule.
- Judges
- HK Chemitei
- Legal Topics
- Confirmation of Grant, Distribution of Estate, Consent Orders
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Happy Koki Wambua
Applicant
Mary Waeni Wambua
Applicant
Janet Kanini Weru
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the grant issued on 28th March 2017 should be confirmed in light of the consent recorded by the beneficiaries.
- 2 Whether the absence of endorsement by one beneficiary (Janet Kanini Weru) invalidates the consent or prejudices her share in the estate.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the consent recorded by the beneficiaries, save for Janet Kanini Weru, was valid and that Janet's share in the estate was preserved despite her opting out of the proceedings. The absence of her endorsement did not prejudice her entitlement, as the schedule of distribution accounted for her share. The court emphasized the need to bring the matter to a close given the protracted litigation and the fact that no beneficiary was left out. Accordingly, the grant was confirmed as per the consent and attached schedule, with the right of Janet to deal with her share as she wishes upon execution of the grant.
Court Disposition
Application allowed; grant confirmed as per the consent and attached schedule.
Orders
- The application dated 8th May 2018 is allowed in terms of prayer seven (7).
- The grant issued on 28th March 2017 is confirmed as per the schedule attached to the consent dated 31st May 2024 and filed on 19th June 2024.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
In re Estate of the Late Josiah Muli Wambua (Deceased) (Succession Cause 2557 of 2012) [2024] KEHC 9965 (KLR) (Family) (31 July 2024) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 9965 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Family
Succession Cause 2557 of 2012
HK Chemitei, J
July 31, 2024
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE JOSIAH MULI WAMBUA (DECEASED)
In the matter of
Happy Koki Wambua
1st Applicant
Mary Waeni Wambua
2nd Applicant
Judgment
1. In their application dated 8th May 2018 the Applicants Happy Koki Wambua and Mary Waeni Wambua prayed for several orders. Most of the prayers in the passage of time have been dealt with or abandoned. The substantive prayer therefore is seeking that the grant issued to them on 28th March 2017 be confirmed.
2. The parties as can be deduced from the records proceeded to mediation where they were able to record a consent on 31st May 2024 and filed in court on 19th June 2024.
3. The only hiccup in the said consent was that one of the beneficiaries Janet Kanini Weru failed to endorse the consent and from the affidavits of service on record indicated in the emails from the advocates that “I have opted out of inheritance case”.
4. It appears nonetheless that by the time she was intimating her wish the beneficiaries had already agreed to share out the estate and taken care of her situation. Consequently, and despite her sentiments her share of the estate is still available.
5. In the premises and taking into consideration the history of this matter and the period the parties have taken in the corridors of justice and more specifically that the said beneficiary has not been left out it is necessary that the grant be confirmed. The estate must be allowed to move on.
6. In any case the said beneficiary can deal with her share in whatever manner she will desire when the grant is executed. The said consent for avoidance of doubt is adopted as the consent of the court.
7. The application dated 8th May 2018 is therefore allowed in terms of prayers seven (7) thereof and the grant be confirmed as per the schedule attached to the consent dated 31st May 2024 and filed on 19th June 2024.
8. Costs shall be in the cause.
DATED SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIA VIDEO LINK AT NAIROBI THIS 31ST DAY OF JULY 2024. H K CHEMITEIJUDGE