[2023] KEELC 15920 (KLR)
The court found that the inhibition was registered to preserve the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Since the suit had been heard and judgment delivered, and there was no order for stay of execution in force, the purpose of the inhibition had been served. The court held that it was...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEELC 15920 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: John Murage Muriuki; Defendant: Ann Wangu Njeru
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nanyuki
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 3 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Environment and Land Case / Ruling on Post Judgment Application to Remove Inhibition
- Outcome
- Application allowed. Inhibition to be removed.
- Judges
- AK Bor
- Legal Topics
- Removal of Inhibition, Post Judgment Orders, Land Registration, Stay of Execution
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
John Murage Muriuki
Plaintiff
Ann Wangu Njeru
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Environment and Land Case / Ruling on Post Judgment Application to Remove Inhibition
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the inhibition registered against the suit property should be removed following the delivery of judgment.
- 2 Whether the court is functus officio and thus unable to grant the orders sought.
- 3 Whether the absence of a stay of execution affects the removal of the inhibition.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the inhibition was registered to preserve the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Since the suit had been heard and judgment delivered, and there was no order for stay of execution in force, the purpose of the inhibition had been served. The court held that it was proper to remove the inhibition to allow compliance with the decree. The court rejected the plaintiff's argument on functus officio, clarifying that post-judgment applications relating to execution or enforcement do not violate the doctrine. The absence of a stay of execution meant there was no legal basis to maintain the inhibition, even though an appeal had been filed.
Court Disposition
Application allowed. Inhibition to be removed.
Orders
- The land registrar is directed to remove the inhibition registered against land reference number Nanyuki/South Timau Block 1/600 (Mia Moja).
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Muriuki v Njeru (Environment & Land Case 3 of 2021) [2023] KEELC 15920 (KLR) (20 February 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEELC 15920 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Nanyuki
Environment & Land Case 3 of 2021
AK Bor, J
February 20, 2023
Between
John Murage Muriuki
Plaintiff
and
Ann Wangu Njeru
Defendant
Ruling
1. The defendant brought the application dated December 2, 2022 seeking to have the restriction, prohibition or inhibition placed against land reference number Nanyuki/South Timau Block 1/600 (Mia Moja) removed. She swore the affidavit in support of the application and explained that for purposes of compliance with the decree of this court, it was only fair that the prohibitory order be lifted. She explained that the prohibitory order had served its purpose since the court had already delivered its judgment.
2. The plaintiff opposed the application through the replying affidavit which he swore on December 13, 2022. He contended that this court was functus officio having rendered its decision on November 1, 2022. He also argued that the application lacked the necessary particulars for the court to evaluate and make a determination on it. He added that being dissatisfied with the court’s decision, he had lodged an appeal and that lifting any prohibition registered against the suit property would give the defendant the leeway to sell the land before his appeal is heard.
3. The court granted the defendant leave on December 20, 2022 to file and serve a further affidavit for purposes of exhibiting the search done on the suit property. The defendant filed a further affidavit on February 10, 2023 to which she annexed the mutation forms and the search done on the suit land.
4. The search shows an inhibition to the effect that there were to be no dealings with the suit property and the status quo was to be maintained until Nyeri ELC Case No 258 of 2013 was heard and determined.
5. Nyeri ELC No 258 of 2013 was transferred to the Nanyuki Law Courts vide the order of July 27, 2021 and was subsequently registered as Nanyuki ELC No 3 of 2021. The case was heard and the court delivered its judgment on November 1, 2022. There are no orders for stay of execution in force.
6. The court allows the application. The land registrar is directed to remove the inhibition registered against the suit property since the suit has now been heard and determined.
DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AT NANYUKI THIS 20{{^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023. K BORJUDGEIn the presence of: -Ms N Simiyu holding brief for Mr D Ombongi for the plaintiffAnna Wangu- the defendant in personStella Gakii - Court Assistant