[2013] KEHC 6573 (KLR)
The court found that the application for revocation was vague, unsupported by evidence, and failed to identify the specific grant or consents allegedly forged. However, the court recognized the legal principle that in cases of polygamous succession, all houses must be represented in the administration of the estate....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 6573 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Unrepresented Applicant (First House); Respondent: Current Administrators (Mother and Son, Second House)
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 2602 of 1994
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Application for revocation dismissed; grant rectified to include representative from first house.
- Judges
- DN Musyoka
- Legal Topics
- Succession, Grant Rectification, Representation of Beneficiaries, Polygamous Estate Administration
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Unrepresented Applicant (First House)
Applicant
Current Administrators (Mother and Son, Second House)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the grant should be revoked or annulled on grounds of alleged forgery of consents and exclusion of beneficiaries.
- 2 Whether both houses of a polygamous deceased should be represented in the administration of the estate.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the application for revocation was vague, unsupported by evidence, and failed to identify the specific grant or consents allegedly forged. However, the court recognized the legal principle that in cases of polygamous succession, all houses must be represented in the administration of the estate. Since this had not been honored, the court ordered rectification of the grant to include a representative from the first house, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in the administration process.
Court Disposition
Application for revocation dismissed; grant rectified to include representative from first house.
Orders
- Rectification of the grant last rectified on 28th 2004 to include Ndungu Kamoni Mungai as administrator representing the first house.
- Certificate of confirmation of grant dated 26th June 2004 to be amended to include Ndungu Kamoni Mungai as administrator.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
13 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MILIMANI
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 2602 OF 1994
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HENRY MUNGAI MUIKAMBA (DECEASED)
JUDGEMENT
The application dated 18th November 2009 is for revocation or annulment of grant. It is drawn by an unrepresented party. The application is remarkably vague. It does not clearly identify the grant sought to be revoked. It raises only one ground, that the executors of the estate forged “the consents as they did not include all the beneficiaries.” The consents referred to are not identified and the affidavits in support of the application do not shed any light at all on the matter.
The deceased died on 24th August 1994. The initial grant was made on 28th February 1995 to Reuben Gathigu Mungai and Ndungu Kamoni Mungai, both surviving sons of the deceased. That grant was revoked on 27th September 1999 by Kasanga Mulwa J. It was after that that the current administrators were appointed.
I, however, note that the current administrators are mother and son.The deceased had two families, that of the applicants on the one hand and that of the respondents on the other hand. It has been held previously that where the deceased was a polygamist both houses ought to be represented in the administration of the estate. That position has not been honoured in this case.
The application dated 18th November 2009 does not make out a case for the revocation of the grant. I am, however, persuaded that for the sake of transparency and inclusiveness that the first house ought to be represented in the administration of the estate.
Consequently, I order rectification of the grant last rectified on 28th 2004, to include the name of Ndungu Kamoni Mungai to represent his mother's side of the family in the administration of the estate. The certificate of confirmation of grant dated 26th June 2004 shall be similarly amended to include the name of Ndungu Kamoni Mungai as administrator . Costs shall be in the cause.
SIGNED DATEDandDELIVEREDin open court this 30thday of August, 2013.
W.M. MUSYOKA
JUDGE