[2023] KEELC 22415 (KLR)
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction to execute orders arising from a succession cause determined by the High Court, as it is a court of equal status and no decree had been transmitted for execution under Order 22 Rule 4 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The plaintiffs' application sought to enforce orders from...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEELC 22415 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Gideon Nyangau Mokaya; Plaintiff: Billiah Nyamoita Okangi; Defendant: Mary Nyamisa Nyangau; Defendant: Sibia Kemunto Nyangau
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nyamira
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case E099 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Execution Related Orders
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs
- Judges
- JM Kamau
- Legal Topics
- Execution of Judgment, Jurisdiction of Court, Land Title Cancellation, Succession Orders
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Gideon Nyangau Mokaya
Plaintiff
Billiah Nyamoita Okangi
Plaintiff
Mary Nyamisa Nyangau
Defendant
Sibia Kemunto Nyangau
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Execution Related Orders
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Environment and Land Court has jurisdiction to execute orders arising from a succession cause determined by the High Court.
- 2 Whether the application for security and protection of land officers during execution is properly before this court.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that it lacked jurisdiction to execute orders arising from a succession cause determined by the High Court, as it is a court of equal status and no decree had been transmitted for execution under Order 22 Rule 4 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The plaintiffs' application sought to enforce orders from Kisii High Court Succession Cause No. 195 of 1994, but the proper procedure would require the High Court to transmit its decree for execution if necessary. Since this was not done, and there was no legal basis for the Environment and Land Court to intervene, the application was found to be incompetent and was dismissed with costs.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs
Orders
- The application dated 30/10/2023 is disallowed with costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
Mokaya & another v Nyangau & another (Environment & Land Case E099 of 2021) [2023] KEELC 22415 (KLR) (7 December 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEELC 22415 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Nyamira
Environment & Land Case E099 of 2021
JM Kamau, J
December 7, 2023
Between
Gideon Nyangau Mokaya
1st Plaintiff
Billiah Nyamoita Okangi
2nd Plaintiff
and
Mary Nyamisa Nyangau
1st Defendant
Sibia Kemunto Nyangau
2nd Defendant
Ruling
1. OchwalN 15/3/2022, I granted Judgment to the Plaintiff as follows:-a.A Declaration that the closure and subdivision of Land Parcel No. East Kitutu/ Kebirichi/945 and the registration of the 1st and 2nd Defendants as absolute proprietors of the resultant parcel East Kitutu/Kebirichi/2530 and 2531 is null and void and contrary to the distribution order given and dated on the 25th day of April 2005. b.A Declaration that the Decision of the Rioma Land Disputes Tribunal Case No 4 of 2005 is invalid, null and void.c.An order directing the cancellation of the title Nos. East Kitutu/Kebirichi/2530 and 2531 and the Register be rectified accordingly and that land parcel No. East Kitutu/Kebirichi/945 be subdivided and registered in accordance with the distribution order stated in the certificate of confirmation of grant issued on 25th day of April 2005 in succession cause No.195 of 1999 Kisii High Court.
2. On 30/10/2023 the Plaintiffs prayed for orders that: -a.Spentb.That the County Surveyor, Nyamira be granted maximum security by the OCS, Nyamira Police Station at the time of surveying and fixing the boundary of Land Parcel Number East Kitutu/Kebirichi/945 as per the grounds annexed on 25/4/2005 vide succession cause No 195 of 1994, Kisii High Court.c.This Honourable court be pleased to protect the Land Officers on duty before being intimidated while discharging their duties.
3. In the Defendants’ grounds of opposition, the 2nd defendant urged the court to find the motion pre-mature, misconceived, incompetent and otherwise legally untenable. That this court has no jurisdiction since the matter herein is subject of a succession cause Judgment in Kisii High Court succession cause Number 195 of 1994.
4. In their Application, the Plaintiffs rightly say that the orders they want to execute in respect of which they seek the assistance of this court are from Kisii High Court Succession Cause No. 195 of 1994. In one of the grounds supporting the Application, specifically ground number (c) the Applicants say “that an order issued as per the certificate of confirmation of grant be complied and this will only be achieved if this court issues an order directing the OCS to offer maximum security to the Surveyor”.
5. I therefore agree with the Respondents that this court should not confer upon itself jurisdiction to execute orders where a court of equal status has already pronounced itself and delivered the Judgment to be executed. It can only do so under order 22 Rule 4 of the Civil Procedure Rules where a court sends its Decree to another court for execution. This is not the case here and there would be no good reason for doing so.
6. The Application dated 30/10/2023 is consequently disallowed with costs.
RULING DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NYAMIRA THIS 7TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2023. MUGO KAMAUJUDGEIn the Presence of:-Court Assistant: - BrendaNo appearance for the PlaintiffMs. Ochwal for the Defendant