[2016] KEELC 1192 (KLR)
The court found that the defendant is in possession of the suit property and that there had been a significant delay between the filing of the suit and the application for injunction. Given these circumstances, the court determined it would not be appropriate to interfere with the current occupation and use of the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEELC 1192 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Mary Wambui Waweru; Defendant: Serah Wanja Wachira (as personal representative of the estate of Lyster Wachira Mwangi, deceased)
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 495 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Injunction
- Outcome
- Interlocutory injunction partially granted; preservation orders issued.
- Judges
- MA Silau
- Legal Topics
- Injunctive Relief, Fraudulent Transfer, Title Preservation, Possession Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Mary Wambui Waweru
Plaintiff
Serah Wanja Wachira (as personal representative of the estate of Lyster Wachira Mwangi, deceased)
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Injunction
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the defendant should be restrained from dealing with the suit property pending determination of the suit.
- 2 Whether the plaintiff has established a prima facie case for the grant of an injunction.
- 3 Whether the balance of convenience favours preservation of the status quo.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the defendant is in possession of the suit property and that there had been a significant delay between the filing of the suit and the application for injunction. Given these circumstances, the court determined it would not be appropriate to interfere with the current occupation and use of the property. However, to prevent any adverse dealings that could affect the subject matter of the dispute, the court ordered the defendant not to sell, charge, lease, or otherwise encumber the property pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The court also directed the land register not to permit registration of any dealings with the property during the pendency of the...
Court Disposition
Interlocutory injunction partially granted; preservation orders issued.
Orders
- The defendant is restrained from selling, charging, leasing, encumbering, or otherwise dealing with the suit property pending hearing and determination of the suit.
- The land register is directed not to permit registration of any dealings in the register of the suit property pending hearing and determination of the suit.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT OF KENYA
AT NAKURU
ELC NO. 495 OF 2013
MARY WAMBUI WAWERU………..…............................................……..………PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
SERAH WANJA WACHIRA (Sued as the personal representative of the estate of
LYSTER WACHIRA MWANGI (DECEASED).…............…………………...1ST DEFENDANT
RULING
(Application for injunction; respondent having title and being in possession; in circumstances best not to interfere with occupation; however, order issued for title to be preserved pending hearing and determination of the case)
1. This suit was commenced by way of plaint filed on 8th August 2013. The plaintiff is step-mother to Lyster Wachira Mwangi (deceased) and she has sued the defendant who is the administrator of the estate of the deceased. Her case is that she is the proper owner of the land parcel Nyandarua/Oraimutia/1481 (the suit property). This property is registered in the name of the deceased but it is the contention of the plaintiff that the deceased obtained registration by way of fraud.
2. Inter alia, it is alleged that the deceased forged documents to acquire registration and that the plaintiff had no knowledge of the same and did not give consent to the transfer. In the suit, the plaintiff wants the suit property registered in her name.
3. Through an application dated 9 June 2015, filed under Order 40 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010, the plaintiff wants the defendant restrained from damaging, wasting or in any other way possible adversely dealing with the suit property. It is her contention that the defendant is cutting down trees and destroying the fence. She has deposed in her supporting affidavit that she had invited the deceased and his family to reside with her on the suit property but she vacated the same in the year 2012 owing to constant harassment by the defendant and she felt that her life was in danger. It will therefore be discerned that it is the defendant who is in possession of the suit property.
4. Despite being served, the defendant has not responded to the application and at the hearing of the same, Mr. Karanja Mbugua, counsel for the defendant ,submitted that he has no instructions on the application.
5. I have considered the application. As earlier observed, it is the defendant who is in possession of the property. It has also taken a couple of years from the filing of this suit to the filing of this application and given those circumstances, I think it may not be best to interfere with the present occupation and use of the property. It is however necessary to preserve the title of the suit property.
6. I therefore order the defendant not to sell, charge, lease or in any other way encumber or deal with the suit property pending the hearing and determination of this suit. I further direct the land register not to permit the registration of any dealings in the register of the suit property, pending hearing and determination of this suit.
7. Costs of the application shall be in the cause.
8. It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered in open court at Nakuru this 20th January, 2016.
MUNYAO SILA
JUDGE
ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT
AT NAKURU
In presence of:-
Ms. Njeri Njagua for plaintiff/applicant
Mr. Karanja Mbugua for defendant/respondent
CA: Janet
MUNYAO SILA
JUDGE
ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT
AT NAKURU