[2022] KEELC 3176 (KLR)

[2022] KEELC 3176 (KLR)

The court found that a valid sale agreement existed between the Plaintiff and Defendant for the suit land, as evidenced by written, signed, and witnessed agreements. The Plaintiff paid the full purchase price and took possession of the property, completing construction and occupying the premises. Although Land...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2022] KEELC 3176 (KLR)
Parties
Plaintiff: Ludovico Emai Okapesi; Defendant: Josephat Barasa Etyang Ekweny
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Busia
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Environment and Land Case Civil Suit 186 of 2017
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the Plaintiff. Counterclaim dismissed.
Judges
AA Omollo
Legal Topics
Land Sale Agreements, Constructive Trust, Specific Performance, Limitation of Actions, Land Control Board Consent
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Land Sale Agreements Constructive Trust Specific Performance Limitation of Actions Land Control Board Consent

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Parties

Ludovico Emai Okapesi

Plaintiff

Josephat Barasa Etyang Ekweny

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether there was a valid sale agreement between the Plaintiff and the Defendant.
  2. 2 Whether the Plaintiff should be registered as the owner of the suit land or refunded the sum claimed.
  3. 3 Whether the Plaintiff should be evicted from the suit land.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that a valid sale agreement existed between the Plaintiff and Defendant for the suit land, as evidenced by written, signed, and witnessed agreements. The Plaintiff paid the full purchase price and took possession of the property, completing construction and occupying the premises. Although Land Control Board consent was not obtained, the court applied the doctrine of constructive trust, holding that the Defendant, having received the full purchase price and allowed the Plaintiff to take possession, could not unjustly enrich himself by denying the Plaintiff's equitable interest. The Defendant's claim that the Plaintiff was a tenant was unsupported by evidence, and the...

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Plaintiff. Counterclaim dismissed.

Orders

  • A declaration that the Plaintiff has by way of constructive trust acquired 0.025ha of land parcel South Teso/Apokor/2308 together with fixtures thereon.
  • The Defendant is directed to execute transfer documents and consents in favour of the Plaintiff for land parcel South Teso/Apokor/2308 within 90 days, failing which the Deputy Registrar shall execute the same.