[2017] KEHC 7483 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had established a prima facie case that his constitutional rights to fair administrative action and access to information had been infringed by the respondents' refusal to provide proceedings of the relevant land cases. The court further held that the threat of eviction posed a...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEHC 7483 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Nkoroi Njeru; Respondent: District Land Adjudication & Settlement Officer Meru South District; Respondent: Director of Land Adjudication; Respondent: Hon. Attorney General; Respondent: Bauni M'Nkambi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Chuka
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- ? 23 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Constitutional Petition / Interlocutory Application Ruling
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- FM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Right to Fair Administrative Action, Right to Property, Access to Information, Injunctive Relief
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Nkoroi Njeru
Applicant
District Land Adjudication & Settlement Officer Meru South District
Respondent
Director of Land Adjudication
Respondent
Hon. Attorney General
Respondent
Bauni M'Nkambi
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Interlocutory Application Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the refusal to provide the petitioner with proceedings of land cases No. 661, 140, 95 violated constitutional rights.
- 2 Whether the petitioner is entitled to a temporary injunction restraining the respondents from interfering with the disputed land pending determination of the petition.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had established a prima facie case that his constitutional rights to fair administrative action and access to information had been infringed by the respondents' refusal to provide proceedings of the relevant land cases. The court further held that the threat of eviction posed a real risk of irreparable harm to the applicant and his family, justifying the grant of a temporary injunction to preserve the status quo pending determination of the petition. The application was unopposed at the hearing, and the court confirmed the interim orders sought by the applicant.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- Temporary injunction granted restraining the respondents and their agents from entering, remaining, or interfering with land registration Nos. 1243 & 1415 of Lower Kandugu registration section until determination of the petition.
- Costs shall be in the cause.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
41 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT CHUKA
CHUKA ELC CASE NO 23 OF 2017
FORMERLY MERU PETITION CASE NO. 31 OF 2016
IN THE MATTER OF THE CONTRAVENTION OF FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AS ENSHRINSHED
UNDER CHAPTER 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENYA
AND
IN THE MATTER OF ARTICLES 27, 40, 47, 48 AND 50 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENYA
BETWEEN
NKOROI NJERU……………………………............................……………………..PETITIONER
VERSUS
DISTRICT LAND ADJUDICATION & SETTLEMENT OFFICER MERU SOUTH DISTRICT………………………………………………………....…………1ST RESPONDENT
DIRECTOR OF LAND ADJUDICATION …………………..………………2ND RESPONDENT
HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL ……………………………..…………..…...3RD RESPONDENT
BAUNI M’NKAMBI………………………………..…………………………4TH RESPONDENT
RULING
1. This application is dated 8. 11. 2016 and seeks orders:
1. That this honourable court be pleased to certify this application as urgent and service of the same be dispensed within the first instance.
2. That this honourable court be pleased to make an order of temporary injunction restraining the defendant, members of his family, servants or agents, from entering, remaining or interfering with the disputed land registration No’s 1243 & 1415 of lower Kandugu registration section within Meru South District until this application is heard.
3. That the honourable court be pleased to confirm the orders in prayer 2 there above until this petition is heard and determined.
4. That cost of this application be provided for:-
2. The application is supported by the affidavit of NKOROI NJERU and has the following grounds:
a) That the petition herein relates to a denial of A/R proceedings by the district land adjudication officer lower Kandugu registration section of the said proceedings (sic) would enable the petition to appeal to the minister, and this was done despite me applying and paid of the said proceedings.
b) That the said act of refusing to provide the petitioner with proceedings of land case No.661, 140, 95 is a prima facie glare breach of the clear provisions of the constitution which protects the fundamental rights of petitioner.
c) That the application is urgent since respondent wants now to evict the petitioner from the suit land which threats if executed will render the petitioners family destitute.
3. The application was heard interpartes on 7. 3.2017. Mr Ogoti told the court that he was relying on the grounds on the face of the application, the affidavit and apposite annextures.
4. Mr. Ogoti told the court that the application ought to be allowed as it was not opposed.
5. Mr. Kaimenyi holding brief for Mr. Muriithi, for the respondents, told the court that Mr. Muriithi needed more time to respond.
6. I have considered the pleadings and the submissions proffered by the parties.
7. The application is allowed and prayer 2 thereof is confirmed.
8. Costs shall be in the cause.
9. The petitioner should put in written submissions with regard to the main petition within 14 days of today and the respondents should do so within 14 days after receipt of the petitioner’s submissions.
10. The petitioner should serve the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents with the orders issued by the court vide this ruling within 10 days of today.
11. It is so ordered.
12. Direction on 12. 4.2017.
Delivered in open court at Chuka this 7th day of March, 2017 in the presence of:
CA: Ndegwa
Elijah Ogoti for the Petitioner
Kaimanyi h/b Muriithi for the 4th Respondent
P. M. NJOROGE
JUDGE