[2022] KEELC 432 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff was entitled to general damages for the defendants' illegal encroachment on his land for a period of 14 years. While the valuation report suggested a higher figure based on lost rentals, the court noted the absence of evidence that the plaintiff intended to develop rental houses or...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEELC 432 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: John Nyang’au Monyenche; Defendant: Nyamusi Nyamboga; Defendant: Nackson Onyancha Momanyi; Defendant: Peris Kemunto Monyenye
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nyamira
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 35 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the plaintiff.
- Judges
- CM Kamau
- Legal Topics
- Mesne Profits, Illegal Encroachment, General Damages, Valuation of Land, Joint and Several Liability
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
John Nyang’au Monyenche
Plaintiff
Nyamusi Nyamboga
Defendant
Nackson Onyancha Momanyi
Defendant
Peris Kemunto Monyenye
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to general damages for illegal encroachment and mesne profits for the period of 14 years.
- 2 What is the reasonable quantum of damages to be awarded for the loss of use of the encroached land.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff was entitled to general damages for the defendants' illegal encroachment on his land for a period of 14 years. While the valuation report suggested a higher figure based on lost rentals, the court noted the absence of evidence that the plaintiff intended to develop rental houses or that the land was within a township. Considering the agricultural nature of the land and the likely income from tea and eucalyptus farming, the court determined that Kshs. 400,000 was a reasonable award for general damages. The sum was awarded against the defendants jointly and severally.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the plaintiff.
Orders
- The defendants shall pay the plaintiff Kshs. 400,000 as general damages for illegal encroachment and loss of use of land, jointly and severally.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT NYAMIRA
ELC NO. 35 OF 2021
{Formerly at Environment and Land Court at Kisii Case No. 6 of 2016}
JOHN NYANG’AU MONYENCHE.......................................................PLAINTIFF
=VRS=
NYAMUSI NYAMBOGA...............................................................1ST DEFENDANT
NACKSON ONYANCHA MOMANYI........................................2ND DEFENDANT
PERIS KEMUNTO MONYENYE................................................3RD DEFENDANT
JUDGMENT
After this court ordered that the Defendant be evicted from the piece of land known as Land Parcel NO. WEST MUGIRANGO/1135 on 21/10/2021 parties were invited to make Submissions to pave way for the final Judgment on Damages for illegal compensation and mesne profits. A valuation Report was compiled by Milestone Land Access Limited same dated 26/10/2021 showing that the market value of lost rentals for the suit property as at the date of valuation i.e. as at 26/10/2021 was Kshs. 994,000/=. The cause of action arose from the year 2007, a period of 14 years to the date of Judgment. This is the figure the Plaintiff has asked the court to award as General Damages.
The encroached area is approximately 0. 5 Acres. The affected area has tea bushes and eucalyptus trees towards the river. The land is in a prime agricultural zone and the most prevalent farming activity is tea and trees for timber. Although the Valuation Report talks of the value assessed being rental losses for the last 30 years to be paid by the encroachers and not for purchase of the parcel, I do not understand where the 30 years come from since the period of encroachment is 14 years. There is also no indication that the Plaintiff was about to put up rental houses or that he ever planned to do so.
We are also not told that it is within a township but had he planted eucalyptus trees, the same would have been mature by now and if he had planted tea bushes the same would have matured within the first 3 years and therefore the Plaintiff would have picked tea for approximately 11 years. I would therefore consider the figure of Kshs. 400,000/= to be reasonable General Damages in the circumstance. I therefore award the sum of Kshs. 400,000/= on General Damages in favour of the Plaintiff against the Defendants jointly and severally.
JUDGMENT DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NYAMIRA THIS 22ND DAY OF APRIL, 2022.
MUGO KAMAU
JUDGE
In the Presence of:-
Court Assistant: Sibota
Plaintiff: Mr. Nyagwencha
Defendants: Defendants Present. No Advocate