[2019] KEELC 377 (KLR)
The court found that the 1st Plaintiff had proved ownership of plot No.339 at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project through a sale agreement and a certificate of ownership. The Defendant, having failed to appear or file a defence, did not challenge the Plaintiffs' evidence. The court held that the Defendant had trespassed...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEELC 377 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Joseph Muturi Mugu; Defendant: Joseph Peter Njoroge; Interested Party: Kasarani Re-Settlement Project sued through its registered official James Maina
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 132 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the 1st Plaintiff as prayed.
- Legal Topics
- Ownership Disputes, Trespass, Injunctive Relief
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Joseph Muturi Mugu
Plaintiff
Joseph Peter Njoroge
Defendant
Kasarani Re-Settlement Project sued through its registered official James Maina
Interested Party
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the 1st Plaintiff is the lawful owner of plot No.339 at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
- 2 Whether the Defendant trespassed on the suit property.
- 3 Whether the Plaintiffs are entitled to a permanent injunction and general damages for trespass.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the 1st Plaintiff had proved ownership of plot No.339 at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project through a sale agreement and a certificate of ownership. The Defendant, having failed to appear or file a defence, did not challenge the Plaintiffs' evidence. The court held that the Defendant had trespassed on the suit property and restrained him from further trespass. The 1st Plaintiff was awarded general damages for trespass and costs of the suit.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the 1st Plaintiff as prayed.
Orders
- A declaration that the 1st Plaintiff is the lawful owner of plot No.339 at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
- A permanent injunction restraining the Defendant, his employees, servants or agents from trespassing on the 1st Plaintiff’s land known as Plot No.339 situated at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT MILIMANI
ELC NO. 132 OF 2017
JOSEPH MUTURI MUGU & ANOTHER........................................PLAINTIFFS
=VERSUS=
JOSEPH PETER NJOROGE.............................................................DEFENDANT
KASARANI RE-SETTLEMENT PROJECT Sued through itsregistered official
JAMES MAINA.....................................................................INTERESTED PARTY
JUDGEMENT
1. The Plaintiffs filed this suit against the Defendant seeking the following reliefs:-
1. A permanent injunction do issue against the Defendant whether by himself, his employees, servants or agents or any of them restraining them from continuing trespassing on the Plaintiff land No.339 situated at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
2. An order declaring that the 1st Plaintiff is the legal owner of land No.339 situated at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
3. The Officer Commanding the nearest police station does supervise and ensure that this court order is implemented for purposes of maintaining law and order to protect the properties of the Plaintiff.
4. General Damages for trespass.
5. Costs of this suit be provided for.
2. The Defendant who was duly served neither entered appearance nor filed any defence . The hearing therefore proceeded by way of formal proof. The 1st Plaintiff testified that he purchased plot No.339 at Kasarani Resettlement Project (suit property) from the 2nd Plaintiff who was a member of the interested party. The 1st Plaintiff was issued with a Certificate of Ownership of the suit property. In early 2017, the Defendant trespassed into the suit property where he has remained to date and has prevented the 1st Plaintiff from developing the suit property.
3. The 2nd Plaintiff testified that he is the one who sold the suit property to the 1st Plaintiff and that he was a previous member of the interested party.
4. I have considered the evidence adduced by the Plaintiffs which is not controverted. There is a sale agreement between the 1st and 2nd Plaintiff dated 26th October 2016. The Plaintiff also produced a certificate of ownership in respect of the suit property. The evidence of the Plaintiffs having not been challenged, I find that the 1st Plaintiff has proved his case against the Defendant on a balance of probabilities. I enter judgement in favour of the 1st Plaintiff as follows:-
1. A declaration that the 1st Plaintiff is the lawful owner of plot No.339 at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
2. A permanent injunction against the defendant whether by himself, his employees, servants or agents or any of them restraining them from continuing trespassing on the 1st Plaintiff’s land known as Plot No.339 situated at Kasarani Re-Settlement Project.
3. General damages of Kshs.500,000/= (Five Hundred Thousand).
4. Costs of this suit to be paid by the Defendant.
Dated, Signed and Delivered at Nairobi on 11ththis day of December 2019
E.O .OBAGA
JUDGE
In the presence of :-
Mr Kahora for Mr Oduor for Plaintiff
Court Assistant: Hilda
E.O.OBAGA
JUDGE