[2014] KEELC 27 (KLR)

[2014] KEELC 27 (KLR)

The court held that the plaintiff, having planted and owned the trees, was entitled to compensation for their loss, even on land registered in his late father's name, as this did not constitute intermeddling with the estate. For the first felling in November 2010, the plaintiff had given consent and was present,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2014] KEELC 27 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Joseph Mung'aya Makotsi; Defendant: Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd; Defendant: Rural Electrification Authority
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Eldoret
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment & Land Case 993 of 2012
Procedural Posture
Land and Environment Case / Judgment
Outcome
Partially allowed for the plaintiff; compensation awarded for both incidents, other claims dismissed, negotiations ordered for further relief.
Legal Topics
Compulsory Acquisition, Wayleave and Easements, Trespass to Land, Compensation for Crop Damage, Consent and Notice Requirements
Source Language
en
Land and Property Tort Law Compulsory Acquisition Wayleave and Easements Trespass to Land Compensation for Crop Damage Consent and Notice Requirements

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Joseph Mung'aya Makotsi

Plaintiff

Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd

Defendant

Rural Electrification Authority

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Land and Environment Case / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to compensation for trees felled on land registered in his deceased father's name.
  2. 2 Whether the defendants complied with statutory requirements for notice and consent before entering and cutting trees on the plaintiff's land.
  3. 3 How compensation for felled trees should be assessed and quantified.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the plaintiff, having planted and owned the trees, was entitled to compensation for their loss, even on land registered in his late father's name, as this did not constitute intermeddling with the estate. For the first felling in November 2010, the plaintiff had given consent and was present, thus only entitled to the compensation offered by the 1st defendant (Kshs. 27,000), as he had a duty to mitigate his loss and no evidence was provided that he did not benefit from the felled trees. For the second felling in March 2011, the 2nd defendant entered without consent or notice, and the court accepted the 2nd defendant's assessment of 320 trees and compensation of Kshs....

Court Disposition

Partially allowed for the plaintiff; compensation awarded for both incidents, other claims dismissed, negotiations ordered for further relief.

Orders

  • The plaintiff is to be compensated Kshs. 27,000 by the 1st defendant for the first cutting.
  • The plaintiff is to be compensated Kshs. 178,040 by the 2nd defendant for the second cutting.