[2017] KEELC 1874 (KLR)

[2017] KEELC 1874 (KLR)

The court found that the plaintiff failed to prove actual, open, continuous, and exclusive possession of the suit land for the statutory period required for adverse possession. The evidence, including a site visit, established that the plaintiff only operated a kiosk on a small corner of the land from around...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2017] KEELC 1874 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: James Ritei Katita; Defendant: Harchi Tranjan Dhampal S. Chawla; Respondent: Daniel Kieru Wachira; Respondent: Joseph Ketutua Wuantai
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Machakos
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment & Land Case 334 of 2009
Procedural Posture
Originating Summons / Judgment
Outcome
Plaintiff's claim dismissed with costs.
Judges
OA Angote
Legal Topics
Adverse Possession, Limitation of Actions, Burden of Proof, Land Registration
Source Language
en
Land and Property Adverse Possession Limitation of Actions Burden of Proof Land Registration

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Parties

James Ritei Katita

Plaintiff

Harchi Tranjan Dhampal S. Chawla

Defendant

Daniel Kieru Wachira

Respondent

Joseph Ketutua Wuantai

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Originating Summons / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the plaintiff has been in actual, open, continuous, and exclusive possession of the suit land for at least twelve years to qualify for adverse possession.
  2. 2 Whether the plaintiff's occupation of the suit land was non-permissive and inconsistent with the rights of the registered owner.
  3. 3 Whether the plaintiff discharged the legal and evidentiary burden of proof required for a claim of adverse possession.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the plaintiff failed to prove actual, open, continuous, and exclusive possession of the suit land for the statutory period required for adverse possession. The evidence, including a site visit, established that the plaintiff only operated a kiosk on a small corner of the land from around 2009/2010 with permission, and did not reside or exercise exclusive control over the land as claimed. The plaintiff's testimony was found to be inconsistent and contradicted by other evidence, including that of the 2nd interested party and the physical inspection of the land. The court held that the plaintiff did not discharge the legal and evidentiary burden of proof, and therefore...

Court Disposition

Plaintiff's claim dismissed with costs.

Orders

  • The Plaintiff's Originating Summons dated 10th November, 2009 is dismissed with costs.
  • The Plaintiff is directed to remove the kiosk standing on parcel of land known as Kajiado/Olooloitikoshi/Kitengela/44 forthwith.