[2019] KEELC 3676 (KLR)
The court held that since the judgment delivered on 28th June 2018 resulted in a dismissal of the suit and a decree to that effect was issued, the court became functus officio and could not grant further orders, including eviction. There was no decree capable of execution in favour of the defendant/applicant, as the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEELC 3676 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Margaret Monyani; Defendant: Agnes N. Wanambisi
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Eldoret
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 221 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Post Judgment Eviction Application
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs
- Judges
- A Ombwayo
- Legal Topics
- Eviction Orders, Execution of Decrees, Functus Officio, Dismissal of Suit
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Margaret Monyani
Plaintiff
Agnes N. Wanambisi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Post Judgment Eviction Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court can grant eviction orders after dismissing the suit and issuing a decree of dismissal.
- 2 Whether the court is functus officio after delivery of judgment dismissing the suit.
- 3 Whether there is a decree capable of execution in the circumstances.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that since the judgment delivered on 28th June 2018 resulted in a dismissal of the suit and a decree to that effect was issued, the court became functus officio and could not grant further orders, including eviction. There was no decree capable of execution in favour of the defendant/applicant, as the dismissal did not entitle her to possession or eviction orders. The application for eviction was therefore misconceived and could not be entertained by the court, which had exhausted its jurisdiction upon delivery of the judgment.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs
Orders
- The application dated 30.7.2018 is dismissed with costs to the respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
14 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT OF KENYA AT ELDORET
E & L CASE NO. 221 OF 2013
MARGARET MONYANI...........................PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT
VERSUS
AGNES. N. WANAMBISI...........................DEFENDANT/APPLICANT
RULING
The application before court is dated 30. 7.2018. the defendant seeks orders that the plaintiff’s servants and agents be evicted from the suit parcel of land Soy/Soy (Navillus)/1923. That this court to order the Officer Commanding Station to ensure compliance with the orders and provide security.
The application is based on grounds that on 28th June 2018, this Honourable court delivered a Judgment and thereof issued a decree on 17th July, 2018 in favour of the defendant/applicant herein in respect to the Land parcel known as Soy/Soy (Navillus)/1923 measuring ¼ of an acre. The court via the decree issued ordered that the suit be dismissed. However, the above decree cannot be executed since the plaintiff/respondent, her agents, employees and/or servants are still illegally in occupation of the said parcel of land and thus obstructing access of the said land by the defendant/applicant herein. The defendant/applicant therefore seeks this Honourable Court to issue eviction orders against the plaintiff/respondent her agents, servants and/or employees so that she may take and enjoy quiet possession of the said parcel of land. The application herein has been made in good faith and in the interest of justice. The supporting affidavit reiterates the grounds of the application.
The respondent filed a replying affidavit stating that the orders sought amount to eviction orders which cannot be granted on application. The said orders can only be granted on substantive suit. There was no counterclaim by the defendant. There is no decree capable of execution.
I have considered the application dated 30. 7.2018 and do find that the decree of the court given on 28. 6.2018 and issued on 17th July, 2018 was a dismissal and therefore, the court cannot revisit the suit for further orders. This court became functus officio on delivery of the judgment. There is nothing to execute. The application is dismissed with costs.
Dated and delivered at Eldoret this 9th day of April, 2019.
A. OMBWAYO
JUDGE