[2007] KEHC 3557 (KLR)

[2007] KEHC 3557 (KLR)

The court found that the application to strike out the 1st defendant could not be granted because there was insufficient clarity and certainty regarding the vesting of the disputed properties and the responsibility for compensation. The plaintiffs had demonstrated that the 1st defendant was in control of the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2007] KEHC 3557 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Jane Wambui Karanja (Suing as the legal representative of the estate of Karanja Mwaniki-deceased); Plaintiff: Mwangi Mbogo (Suing as the legal representative of the estate of Mbogo Kihara-deceased); Plaintiff: James Kamau Thuo; Plaintiff: Kamau Njuguna; Plaintiff: Samuel Munoru; Plaintiff: Joseph Mwangi Maina; Defendant: New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Co. Ltd; Defendant: Maragua County Council
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Case 531 of 2005
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Application to Strike Out 1st Defendant
Outcome
application to strike out 1st defendant dismissed with costs to the plaintiffs
Legal Topics
Vesting Orders, Compensation for Land, Liquidation of Company Assets, Striking Out Parties
Source Language
en
Land and Property Vesting Orders Compensation for Land Liquidation of Company Assets Striking Out Parties

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Parties

Jane Wambui Karanja (Suing as the legal representative of the estate of Karanja Mwaniki-deceased)

Plaintiff

Mwangi Mbogo (Suing as the legal representative of the estate of Mbogo Kihara-deceased)

Plaintiff

James Kamau Thuo

Plaintiff

Kamau Njuguna

Plaintiff

Samuel Munoru

Plaintiff

Joseph Mwangi Maina

Plaintiff

New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Co. Ltd

Defendant

Maragua County Council

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Case / Ruling on Application to Strike Out 1st Defendant

  1. 1 Whether the 1st defendant, New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Ltd, should be struck out from the suit on grounds that the subject properties were not vested in it.
  2. 2 Whether the plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for land allegedly utilized by the 1st defendant or its predecessor.
  3. 3 Whether the 1st defendant is the proper party to be sued for the alleged non-compensation.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the application to strike out the 1st defendant could not be granted because there was insufficient clarity and certainty regarding the vesting of the disputed properties and the responsibility for compensation. The plaintiffs had demonstrated that the 1st defendant was in control of the premises and had not provided any formal notice or evidence of relinquishing such control. The court held that, in the absence of clear evidence that the 1st defendant was not responsible for the properties or compensation, the application to strike out must fail. The proper course for the 1st defendant, if it believed another party was liable, was to initiate third party proceedings...

Court Disposition

application to strike out 1st defendant dismissed with costs to the plaintiffs

Orders

  • The application to strike out the 1st defendant is dismissed.
  • Costs awarded to the plaintiffs/respondents.