[2014] KEHC 5836 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant's motion lacked merit because the application for consolidation was untenable; Kitale HCCC No. 9 of 1999 had been dismissed for want of prosecution in 2007 and thus there was no pending suit to consolidate with. The request for joinder as a party to that suit was similarly...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2014] KEHC 5836 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Joseph K. M. Simiyu; Defendant: Michael Kibiwott Seroney
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kitale
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 58 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Amendment, Consolidation, and Substitution
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs to the respondent
- Legal Topics
- Adverse Possession, Amendment of Pleadings, Consolidation of Suits, Joinder of Parties
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Joseph K. M. Simiyu
Plaintiff
Michael Kibiwott Seroney
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Amendment, Consolidation, and Substitution
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to amendment of pleadings without specifying the nature of the amendment.
- 2 Whether consolidation with Kitale HCCC No. 9 of 1999 is possible given that the suit was dismissed in 2007.
- 3 Whether the applicant can be enjoined as a party to a non-existent suit.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant's motion lacked merit because the application for consolidation was untenable; Kitale HCCC No. 9 of 1999 had been dismissed for want of prosecution in 2007 and thus there was no pending suit to consolidate with. The request for joinder as a party to that suit was similarly misconceived, as the suit no longer existed. Regarding amendment of pleadings, the applicant failed to specify the nature of the amendment or provide a draft amended pleading, depriving the court of any basis to consider the request. The supporting affidavit did not support the prayers sought. Consequently, the court dismissed the application in its entirety with costs to the respondent.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs to the respondent
Orders
- The applicant's notice of motion is dismissed with costs to the respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KITALE
CIVIL CASE NO. 58 OF 2012
JOSEPH K. M. SIMIYU …........................................ PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
MICHAEL KIBIWOTT SERONEY …................ DEFENDANT
R U L I N G
The applicant herein Joseph K.M. Simiyu had filed an originating summons against the respondent Michael Kibiwott Seroney seeking a declaration that he had acquired 2 acres out of Kitale Municipality Block 15/Koitogos/5 by way of adverse possession.
On 28th June, 2013 the applicant filed a notice to motion in which he seeks among other prayers amendment of pleadings, consolidation of the originating summons with Kitale HCCC No. 9 of 1999 and substitution of parties.
The notice of motion is supported by his own affidavit sworn on 28/6/2013. The supporting affidavit does not support his application. I appreciate that the applicant is acting in person having previously acted through advocates.
In the supporting affidavit, the applicant prays for a refund of the purchase price as well as profits and general damages if at all specific performance is not available. In the alternative he is seeking to be declared owner of 2 acres by adverse possession.
It is difficult to understand what the applicant really wants but given the fact that he is acting in person and is a layman, he may not know the way in which he should go about with such applications.
The applicant's application is opposed by the respondent who contends that the application is an abuse of the process of court and that the supporting affidavit of the applicant does not support his application.
Having gone through the applicant's application, I have now to decide whether any of the prayers he is seeking can be granted. On the prayer for consolidation, there was little material placed before the court to enable me decide whether this originating summon can be consolidated with Kitale High Court Civil case No 9 of 1999. It turned out from the register of civil files in the High Court registry that this case was dismissed for want of prosecution on 22/6/2007. It therefore follows that there is nothing pending in Kitale HCCC No. 9 of 1999 which can be consolidated with the originating summons herein.
The applicant also wanted to be enjoined as a party to Kitale High Court Civil case no. 9 of 1999. If he wanted to be enjoined to that suit that application should have been made in that file and as I have already said hereinabove, this suit is non existent the same having been dismissed in 2007.
Regarding his prayer for amendment of pleadings, there is no basis upon which such an order can be made. He has not indicated the nature of the amendment he is seeking so that the court can consider whether it is merited or not. There is not even a draft amended originating summons or any other pleading annexed to his notice of motion.
For the reasons given hereinabove, I find that the applicant's motion lacks merit. There same is hereby dismissed with costs to the respondent.
It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered at Kitale on this 9th day of April, 2014.
E. OBAGA,
JUDGE
In the presence of the plaintiff and defendant. Court Clerk – Kassachoon.
E. OBAGA,
JUDGE
9/4/2014