[2020] KEELC 1484 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff had repeatedly failed to comply with court orders regarding the filing of an amended plaint and payment of court adjournment fees and costs to the 1st defendant's counsel. Despite the age of the case and the prejudice caused to the defendants by the plaintiff's inaction, the court...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEELC 1484 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Omar Mohamed Masumbuko; Defendant: Mohammed Mahfudh Saad; Defendant: Isaac Munyi Njeru
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 261 of 2009
- Procedural Posture
- Land and Property Dispute / Interlocutory Ruling on Compliance With Court Orders and Amendment of Plaint
- Outcome
- Conditional indulgence granted; suit to stand dismissed if plaintiff fails to comply with orders within stipulated timelines.
- Legal Topics
- Amendment of Pleadings, Delay in Prosecution, Adjournment Fees, Service of Summons
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Omar Mohamed Masumbuko
Plaintiff
Mohammed Mahfudh Saad
Defendant
Isaac Munyi Njeru
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Land and Property Dispute / Interlocutory Ruling on Compliance With Court Orders and Amendment of Plaint
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff has complied with previous court orders regarding amendment of plaint and payment of fees.
- 2 Whether the continued delay by the plaintiff justifies dismissal of the suit for want of prosecution.
- 3 Whether the plaintiff should be granted further indulgence to comply with court orders.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff had repeatedly failed to comply with court orders regarding the filing of an amended plaint and payment of court adjournment fees and costs to the 1st defendant's counsel. Despite the age of the case and the prejudice caused to the defendants by the plaintiff's inaction, the court exercised discretion to grant the plaintiff a final opportunity to comply. The court ordered the plaintiff to pay all outstanding fees and costs within 7 days, file the amended plaint within 14 days, and pay a penalty for non-compliance with earlier orders. The court made it clear that failure to comply with any of these conditions would result in automatic dismissal of the suit.
Court Disposition
Conditional indulgence granted; suit to stand dismissed if plaintiff fails to comply with orders within stipulated timelines.
Orders
- Plaintiff to pay all outstanding court adjournment fees and costs to 1st defendant's counsel within 7 days.
- Plaintiff to pay a further adjournment fee of KShs. 2,000 and KShs. 4,000 to Ms. Moolraj for attendances on 16 June 2020 and the present date within 7 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT MOMBASA
ELC NO. 261 OF 2009
OMAR MOHAMED MASUMBUKO ..........................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
MOHAMMED MAHFUDH SAAD ...................................1ST DEFENDANT
ISAAC MUNYI NJERU ....................................................2ND DEFENDANT
RULING
1. On 5 November 2019, I granted leave to the plaintiff to file an amended plaint pursuant to an application dated 12 February 2019 seeking leave to amend the plaint. I directed that the amended plaint be filed within 14 days and be served in the usual manner. I further directed the matter to be mentioned on 20 February 2020. There was no sitting on 20 February 2020 and the matter was fixed for mention on 5 March 2020. On that date, Mr. Okanga held brief for Mr. Kadima for the plaintiff, whereas Ms. Moolraj was present for the 1st defendant. There was no amended plaint filed. My perusal of the file did not also show whether the 2nd defendant has ever been served with summons. Mr. Okanga could not respond on why the amended plaint has not been filed, nor on the issue of service upon the 2nd defendant. He sought another mention date. I gave 16 June 2020 for mention and directed the plaintiff to put his house in order. I ordered the plaintiff to pay Court Adjournment Fee of KShs. 2,000/= and KShs. 2,000/= costs to Ms. Moolraj within 14 days.
2. On 16 June 2020, Mr. Amadi appeared for the plaintiff whereas Ms. Moolraj appeared for the 1st defendant. It emerged that the court adjournment fees had not been paid and neither had the costs to Ms. Moolraj. Moreover, no amended plaint had been filed . I thought the plaintiff was not keen with the matter and sought counsel to give me reasons why the suit should not be dismissed. Mr. Amadi conceded that the plaintiff had not complied with the court orders on payment of court fees and costs to counsel. He stated that his client was eager to proceed with the case and sought 7 days to pay the fees. Ms. Moolraj was not convinced and urged the court to dismiss this suit.
3. I have gone through this file. The case was filed in the year 2009 and has been in court for 11 years. In the plaint, the plaintiff seeks orders to be declared the owner of the land parcel Mombasa/Block XI/983 which he contends was allotted to him in December 2002 and an allotment letter issued. He claimed that the 2nd defendant fraudulently forged papers to obtain title to the suit land. As I mentioned earlier, I have no evidence that the 2nd defendant has ever been served with summons. The 1st defendant filed defence on 4 December 2009 and pleaded to be an innocent purchaser for value and in occupation of the disputed land since the year 2003.
4. Owing to its age, the court on its own motion fixed the case for hearing on 12 February 2019. The case was dismissed for the plaintiff failed to prosecute the case. There followed an application to reinstate the dismissed suit which was allowed on 18 June 2016. I have already mentioned that on 5 November 2019, the plaintiff was granted leave to amend the plaint, and that nothing has been done yet.
5. It is apparent that the plaintiff has caused significant delay in the prosecution of his case. This clearly prejudices the defendants. Despite leave being granted to file an amended plaint, none has been filed within the 14 days given. Court fees and costs to counsel have also not been paid.
6. I will bend over backwards to accommodate the plaintiff but payment of court fees and costs to counsel are not negotiable. The plaintiff must pay the court adjournment fees and costs to counsel that had earlier been ordered. The plaintiff will pay a further adjournment fee of KShs. 2,000/= and a further KShs. 4,000/= to Ms. Moolraj for the attendances of 16 June 2020 and today’s attendance. All these must be paid within the next 7 days. The amended plaint must be filed within the next 14 days but the plaintiff will pay a penalty of KShs. 3,000/= for not complying with the earlier order to file the amended plaint in 14 days. If the plaintiff defaults on any of the above, then his suit will stand dismissed.
7. Orders accordingly.
DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 30 DAY OF JULY 2020
JUSTICE MUNYAO SILA
JUDGE, ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT MOMBASA