[2007] KECA 115 (KLR)

[2007] KECA 115 (KLR)

The Court of Appeal held that section 4(4) of the Limitation of Actions Act imposes a substantive bar on bringing any action, including execution proceedings, upon a judgment after 12 years from the date of judgment, unless the case falls within the exceptions in Part III of the Act. The phrase 'may not' in section...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2007] KECA 115 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: M’Ikiara M’Rinkanya; Appellant: Sebastian Nyamu; Respondent: Gilbert Kabeere M’Mbijiwe
Court
Court of Appeal
Court Station
Court of Appeal at Nyeri
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 124 of 2003
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal allowed
Judges
AM Githinji
Legal Topics
Limitation of Actions, Execution of Judgments, Adverse Possession, Declaratory Relief
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Limitation of Actions Execution of Judgments Adverse Possession Declaratory Relief

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Parties

M’Ikiara M’Rinkanya

Appellant

Sebastian Nyamu

Appellant

Gilbert Kabeere M’Mbijiwe

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether execution of a decree for possession of land is statute-barred under section 4(4) of the Limitation of Actions Act after 12 years from the date of judgment.
  2. 2 Whether the court has discretion to allow execution after the limitation period has lapsed under section 4(4) of the Limitation of Actions Act.
  3. 3 Whether proceedings for a warrant of eviction constitute an 'action' within the meaning of section 4(4) of the Limitation of Actions Act.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that section 4(4) of the Limitation of Actions Act imposes a substantive bar on bringing any action, including execution proceedings, upon a judgment after 12 years from the date of judgment, unless the case falls within the exceptions in Part III of the Act. The phrase 'may not' in section 4(4) is not discretionary; it is prohibitive, subject only to the statutory exceptions. The respondent did not bring himself within any of the exceptions, and the application for execution (warrant of eviction) was filed nearly 18 years after the final judgment, well outside the limitation period. The court further held that proceedings for a warrant of eviction are 'actions'...

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • The appeal is allowed.
  • The judgment of the superior court delivered on 23rd January, 2003 dismissing the appellants’ suit is set aside.