[2023] KEELC 20414 (KLR)

[2023] KEELC 20414 (KLR)

The court found that adverse possession could only be claimed from 1994, when the suit land was registered in the Defendant's name. The Plaintiff had been in open, continuous, and exclusive possession of the land since before registration and continued to occupy it thereafter. Although the Defendant filed eviction...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] KEELC 20414 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Ntipapa Ole Kasha; Defendant: Oloibor Ole Tonkei
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Kajiado
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment & Land Case 44 of 2020
Procedural Posture
Originating Summons / Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the Plaintiff. Plaintiff declared entitled to registration as proprietor of Kajiado/Dalalekutuk/1084 by adverse possession. Defendant to transfer title within 90 days or Deputy Registrar to execute transfer. Permanent injunction issued against Defendant. Costs to Plaintiff.
Judges
LC Komingoi
Legal Topics
Adverse Possession, Limitation of Actions, Land Registration, Title Disputes
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Adverse Possession Limitation of Actions Land Registration Title Disputes

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Parties

Ntipapa Ole Kasha

Plaintiff

Oloibor Ole Tonkei

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Originating Summons / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to be declared the proprietor of parcel Kajiado/Dalalekutuk/1084 by virtue of adverse possession.
  2. 2 Whether the Registrar of Lands should be directed to transfer ownership of the suit land from the Defendant to the Plaintiff.
  3. 3 Whether the Defendant can be restrained from interfering with the suit property.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that adverse possession could only be claimed from 1994, when the suit land was registered in the Defendant's name. The Plaintiff had been in open, continuous, and exclusive possession of the land since before registration and continued to occupy it thereafter. Although the Defendant filed eviction suits in 1995 and subsequent years, he failed to diligently prosecute them, with the first suit being dismissed for want of prosecution after 16 years. The court held that mere filing of a suit interrupts time, but indolence in prosecuting the suit and the Plaintiff's continued occupation without interruption weighed in favor of the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff satisfied the...

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Plaintiff. Plaintiff declared entitled to registration as proprietor of Kajiado/Dalalekutuk/1084 by adverse possession. Defendant to transfer title within 90 days or Deputy Registrar to execute transfer. Permanent injunction issued against Defendant. Costs to Plaintiff.

Orders

  • A declaration is issued that the Plaintiff is entitled to be registered as owner of Kajiado/Dalalekutuk/1084 by adverse possession.
  • The Plaintiff shall be registered as proprietor of LR No Kajiado/Dalalekutuk/1084 in place of the Defendant.