[2016] KEHC 2872 (KLR)
The court found that the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs did not authorize the suit and had vacated the premises, undermining the basis for injunctive relief as to them. The court further held that the interim orders previously issued could not be extended due to the applicants' failure to serve the orders on the defendants...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEHC 2872 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: John Nkonge M'Arithi; Plaintiff: Magdaline Nyambura; Plaintiff: Joyce Mboya; Defendant: Peninah Nkatha; Defendant: Chris Kinyua Wanjagi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 114 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Environment and Land Case / Interlocutory Application Ruling
- Outcome
- Interim orders not extended; status quo maintained; preliminary objection to be heard by written submissions; costs in the cause.
- Judges
- FM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Protected Tenancy, Temporary Injunctions, Eviction Notices, Service of Process
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
John Nkonge M'Arithi
Plaintiff
Magdaline Nyambura
Plaintiff
Joyce Mboya
Plaintiff
Peninah Nkatha
Defendant
Chris Kinyua Wanjagi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Environment and Land Case / Interlocutory Application Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiffs are protected tenants under the law for PLOT NO. NTIMA/IGOKI/2079.
- 2 Whether the notices served on the plaintiffs to vacate the premises were lawful and compliant with Cap 301 Laws of Kenya.
- 3 Whether the plaintiffs are entitled to temporary injunctive relief restraining the defendants from harassment or eviction.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs did not authorize the suit and had vacated the premises, undermining the basis for injunctive relief as to them. The court further held that the interim orders previously issued could not be extended due to the applicants' failure to serve the orders on the defendants within the required three-day period. The court directed that the preliminary objection raised by the defendants be heard expeditiously by way of written submissions and maintained the status quo, allowing only the 1st plaintiff to continue using the part of the premises he had occupied prior to the suit. Costs were reserved to be in the cause.
Court Disposition
Interim orders not extended; status quo maintained; preliminary objection to be heard by written submissions; costs in the cause.
Orders
- 1st Plaintiff allowed 21 days to file further responses; parties granted leave to respond as necessary.
- Interim orders not extended.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
43 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MERU
ENVIRONMENT AND LAND CASE NO 114 OF 2016
JOHN NKONGE M'ARITHI........................... 1ST PLAINTIFF
MAGDALINE NYAMBURA........................ 2ND PLAINTIFF
JOYCE MBOYA......................................... 3RD PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
PENINAH NKATHA.................................1ST DEFENDANT
CHRIS KINYUA WANJAGI.................... 2ND DEFENDANT
R U L I N G
1. The main application in this matter is dated 27th July, 2016. It seeks orders:-
(1).THATthis Application be certified urgent and the same be heard exparte in the first instance.
(2).THATan order of temporary injunction do issue restraining the 1st Respondent , whether by her agents, servants or anybody acting on her behest from subjecting the Applicants to any annoyance or harassment with the intention of compelling the Plaintiff/Applicants to vacate the demised premises on PLOT NO. NTIMA/IGOKI/2079 pending the interpartes hearing of the application.
(3).THATan order of temporary injunction do issue restraining the 1st Respondent, whether by herself, her agents, servants or anybody acting on her behest from subjecting the Applicants to any annoyance or harassment with the intention of compelling the Plaintiff/Applicants to vacate the demised premises on PLOT NO. NTIMA/IGOKI/2079 pending the hearing and determination of the application herein.
(4).THATan order of temporary injunction do issue restraining the 1st Respondent, whether by herself, her agents, servants or anybody acting on her behest from subjecting the Applicant to any annoyance or harassment with the intention of compelling the Plaintiff/Applicant to vacate the demised premises on PLOT NO. NTIMA/IGOKI/2079 pending the hearing and determination of the suit herein.
(5).THATcosts of this application be borne by the Defendants /Respondents.
2. The Application is supported by the Affidavit of the 1st Applicant and has the following grounds:-
(1).THATthe Applicants are protected tenants by law on PLOT NO. NTIMA/IGOKI/2079.
(2. )THATthe Applicants were served with two notices dated 23/06/2016 and 08/07/2016 requiring them to vacate the demised premises by 31/07/2016.
(3).THAT the two notices are contrary to the provisions of CAP 301 Laws of Kenya and thus illegal.
(4).THAT the tenants have been performing their obligations for the last 13 years or so and they have invested massively on the demised premises.
(5).THAT the Applicants risk being evicted from the premises as a result of which they would incur irreparable loss and damage.
(6).THAT it is in the interest of justice that the orders sought herein be granted.
3. The Application was slated for Interpartes hearing on 14/09/2016 as the Plaintiffs sought time to respond to the Replying Affidavit filed by the Defendants.
4. Mr. Ken Muriuki, the Defendants' Advocate told the Court that there were Affidavits sworn by the 2nd and 3rd Plaintiffs stating that the 1st Plaintiff did not have authority to file this suit on their behalf. The 2nd and 3rd Plaintiffs told the Court that they were misled by the 1st Plaintiff to sign a document which they thought was directed to the Defendants asking them to extend their stay in the suit premises. They were categorical that they had no intention of filing a suit. They also told the Court that they had moved out of the Suit premises.
5. Mr. Muriuki told the Court that extension of Interim Orders was not tenable because the orders were not served upon the Defendants within the required 3 days but were served about a month and a week since 28/07/2016 when they were issued.
6. Mr. Muriuki asked the Court to direct that the Defendants Preliminary Objection dated 9th September, 2016 be heard expeditiously.
7. The 1st Plaintiff informed the Court that he was willing to vacate the suit premises by 13th December, 2016.
8. The following orders are issued:-
(1)1st Plaintiff allowed 21 days to file further responses and Parties allowed leave to further respond as and if necessary.
(2)INTERIM ORDERS not extended .
(3)Preliminary Objection dated 9th September, 2016 to be heard by way of Written Submissions with the Defendants doing so within 21 days of today and the Plaintiff to do so within 21 days after receipt of the Defendants' Written Submissions.
(4)Status Quo be maintained so that the 1st Plaintiff only continues to use the part of the suit premises he had been using before Institution of this suit.
(5)Directions on 29/11/2016.
(6)Formal Ruling delivered in Court.
9. It is so ordered.
10. Costs shall be in the cause.
DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT THIS 14TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2016 IN THE PRESENCE OF:-
CC: Daniel/ Lilian
Ringera h/b Murithi for the Plaintiffs
Muriuki for Defendants
P. M. NJOROGE
JUDGE