[2014] KEELC 26 (KLR)

[2014] KEELC 26 (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 cutting, the plaintiff gave consent and was present, thus was only entitled to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2014] KEELC 26 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Joseph Mung'aya Makotsi; Defendant: Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC); Defendant: Rural Electrification Authority (REA)
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
Environment and Land Case / Judgment
Outcome
Partially allowed for the plaintiff; compensation awarded for both cuttings; other claims denied; parties to negotiate on relocation or further compensation.
Legal Topics
Wayleave Compensation, Trespass to Land, Valuation of Trees, Consent for Entry, Damages Assessment
Source Language
en
Land and Property Tort Law Wayleave Compensation Trespass to Land Valuation of Trees Consent for Entry Damages Assessment

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Joseph Mung'aya Makotsi

Plaintiff

Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC)

Defendant

Rural Electrification Authority (REA)

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Environment and Land 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 cutting, the plaintiff gave consent and was present, thus was only entitled to the compensation offered by the 1st defendant (Kshs. 27,000), as he had the opportunity to mitigate his loss by utilizing the felled trees. For the second cutting, the 2nd defendant entered without consent or notice, and the court accepted the 2nd defendant's assessment of 320 trees and compensation of Kshs. 178,040, rejecting the plaintiff's higher and inconsistent figures....

Court Disposition

Partially allowed for the plaintiff; compensation awarded for both cuttings; other claims denied; parties to negotiate on relocation or further compensation.

Orders

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