[2019] KECA 778 (KLR)

[2019] KECA 778 (KLR)

The Court of Appeal held that the appellant's claims based on the doctrine of lis pendens and section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act could not be entertained as they were not pleaded in the amended plaint nor determined by the trial court. The only pleaded issue was whether Lucy had a transferable interest and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2019] KECA 778 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Joel Mbataru Kanyoko; Respondent: Lucy Wambui Mbataru; Respondent: Larry Gregory Kiswili Ngutter
Court
Court of Appeal
Court Station
Court of Appeal at Nairobi
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 255 of 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Judges
J Wakiaga, AK Murgor
Legal Topics
Trusts in Land, Innocent Purchaser, Fraud in Property Transactions, Pleadings and Proof, Lis Pendens, Injunctions
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Trusts in Land Innocent Purchaser Fraud in Property Transactions Pleadings and Proof Lis Pendens Injunctions

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Parties

Joel Mbataru Kanyoko

Appellant

Lucy Wambui Mbataru

Respondent

Larry Gregory Kiswili Ngutter

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the transfer of LR No. 209/7383/205 from the appellant to the 1st respondent was a commercial transaction or a family arrangement.
  2. 2 Whether the subsequent sale and transfer of the property to the 2nd respondent was null and void by virtue of the doctrine of lis pendens or fraud.
  3. 3 Whether the trial court properly evaluated the evidence and applied the correct legal principles.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that the appellant's claims based on the doctrine of lis pendens and section 52 of the Transfer of Property Act could not be entertained as they were not pleaded in the amended plaint nor determined by the trial court. The only pleaded issue was whether Lucy had a transferable interest and whether fraud was committed in the transfer to the 2nd respondent. The trial court found, and the appellate court affirmed, that the transfer from the appellant to Lucy was a bona fide commercial transaction, not a family arrangement or sham, and that Lucy acquired full legal title. The subsequent sale to the 2nd respondent was valid, with no fraud proved or pleaded against him,...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal against the 1st respondent is dismissed with costs.
  • The appeal against the 2nd respondent abated and is foreclosed.