[2014] KEHC 7395 (KLR)
The court found that it could not determine whether the respondent's actions constituted intermeddling with the estate of the deceased without access to the judgment and reasons of the lower court order that the respondent purported to execute. The applicant, as administrator, had not provided sufficient material...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2014] KEHC 7395 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Joseph K. Mainga; Respondent: Festus Mutua Kiema
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 1159 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Interlocutory Application for Preservation Orders
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Estate Administration, Intermeddling With Estate, Preservation Orders, Confirmation of Grant
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Joseph K. Mainga
Applicant
Festus Mutua Kiema
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Interlocutory Application for Preservation Orders
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the respondent's actions amount to intermeddling with the estate of the deceased.
- 2 Whether the applicant is entitled to preservation and protection orders over the estate assets pending confirmation of grant.
- 3 Whether the court can issue prohibitory orders without being privy to the lower court's judgment.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that it could not determine whether the respondent's actions constituted intermeddling with the estate of the deceased without access to the judgment and reasons of the lower court order that the respondent purported to execute. The applicant, as administrator, had not provided sufficient material for the court to conclude that the lower court's order was null and void or that the respondent's actions were unlawful. The court advised that the applicant should either appeal or seek review of the lower court's order if aggrieved. Consequently, the court declined to grant the preservation and prohibitory orders sought and dismissed the application.
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application dated 19th November 2013 is dismissed.
- No orders as to costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
No. 161/2014
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 1159 OF 2012
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NGETI MAVUTI
JOSEPH K. MAINGA.....................ADMINISTRATOR/APPLICANT
VERSUS
FESTUS MUTUA KIEMA ............................................RESPONDENT
RULING
By an application dated 19th November 2013, the Applicant an administrator of the estate of Ngeti Mavuti seeks this court’s order preserving and protecting the estate of the deceased, in particular Plot Number 1085 Utithi Settlement Scheme against Festus Mutua Kiema, the District Land adjudication and Settlement Officer, Kibwezi Sub-county together with their servants, agents or any other person whomsoever prohibiting interference and intermeddling with the assets of the estate of the deceased whether by subdivision, alienation and/or disposing off pending the hearing and determination of this application.
The application is premised on grounds that there is an application pending for Confirmation of Grant; Plot Number 1083 Utithi Settlement Scheme is recorded in the name of the deceased and the respondent; and the respondent and his agents are in the process of subdividing and alienating the assets of the estate of the deceased.
The application is supported by an affidavit deposed by the Applicant in which he depones that that he has been in occupation of Parcel No. 1083/Utithi Settlement Scheme that is in the name of the deceased having constructed his home thereon since 1969; the respondent is purporting to un-procedurally execute against the deceased pursuant to an order issued by the defunct Land Disputes Tribunal an action that amounts to intermeddling with the deceased’s estate.
The respondent though served with the application did not reply thereto.
The applicant herein was granted Temporary Letters of Administration Intestate in respect of the Estate of the deceased on the 27th May, 2013. The other beneficiary to the estate is one Derick Musyoka Kiema. Assets left by the deceased are a parcel of land No. 1083 Utithi Settlement SchemeandParcel No. 491, Utithi Settlement Scheme.A letter from the District Land Adjudicating and Settlement Officer, Kibwezi, confirms that the records show the deceased as the owner of the land
It has been stated that the Respondent purports to execute a court order issued by Makindu Court on the 17th August, 2011 (adopting the order of the Land Disputes Tribunal) which in the opinion of the applicant is nulland void. This is the basis upon which the respondent intends to subdivide and alienate assets of the estate of the deceased.
Annexture “JKM” is an order issued by the Resident Magistrate Makinduin Civil Case No. 173/2006 where he adopted the ruling of the Land Dispute Tribunal as judgment of the court. This court has not been made privy to the said judgment. The case was between Ngeti Mavutithe deceased as the plaintiff and Festus Mutua Kiema and the District Land Adjudication Officer, Wote as defendants. Festus Kiema is the Respondent herein. To be able to form an opinion whether or not the respondent is intermeddling with the estate of the deceased it would have been imperative for the court to know the contents of judgment of the Lower Court. Reasons for the decision and the actual decision thereof would enable this court decide whether or not it is nulland void as alleged. It may be prudent on the part of the applicant being the administrator of the estate of the deceased to either appeal against the order of the Lower Court or have it reviewed.
The upshot of the above is that the orders sought cannot issue. In the premises the application is dismissed. No orders as to costs.
DATED, DELIVERED and SIGNEDthis 22ndday of JANUARY, 2014.
L.N. MUTENDE
JUDGE