[2021] KEHC 7983 (KLR)
The High Court determined that it lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine the Chamber Summons dated 4th February 2021 because the dispute concerns title to land, which is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Environment and Land Court as provided by Articles 162(2)(b) and 165(5) of the Constitution and section...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 7983 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Director of Criminal Investigations; Respondent: Inspector General of the National Police Service; Respondent: Attorney General; Respondent: Osuri Nicholas; Applicant: Peter David Leparakwo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Judicial Review Application E016 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Judicial Review Application / Ruling on Preliminary Objection and Transfer of Suit
- Outcome
- suit transferred to the Environment and Land Court for want of jurisdiction
- Judges
- P Nyamweya
- Legal Topics
- Jurisdiction of Courts, Transfer of Suit, Environment and Land Court Jurisdiction, Abuse of Process
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Director of Criminal Investigations
Respondent
Inspector General of the National Police Service
Respondent
Attorney General
Respondent
Osuri Nicholas
Respondent
Peter David Leparakwo
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review Application / Ruling on Preliminary Objection and Transfer of Suit
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the High Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes relating to title, use, and occupation of land.
- 2 Whether the application constitutes an abuse of the court process given the existence of parallel proceedings in the Environment and Land Court.
Ratio Decidendi
The High Court determined that it lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine the Chamber Summons dated 4th February 2021 because the dispute concerns title to land, which is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Environment and Land Court as provided by Articles 162(2)(b) and 165(5) of the Constitution and section 13 of the Environment and Land Court Act. Furthermore, the existence of ongoing proceedings in the Environment and Land Court involving the same subject matter renders the present application an abuse of the court process. Consequently, the suit is transferred to the Environment and Land Court at Nairobi for further hearing and determination.
Court Disposition
suit transferred to the Environment and Land Court for want of jurisdiction
Orders
- This suit is transferred to the Environment and Land Court at Nairobi for further hearing and determination.
- The ex parte Applicant’s Chamber Summons dated 4th February 2021 shall be placed before the Duty Judge at the Environment and Land Court at Nairobi on 2nd March 2021 for directions.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
JUDICIAL REVIEW APPLICATION NO. E016 OF 2021
BETWEEN
REPUBLIC...............................................................................APPLICANT
VERSUS
DIRECTOR OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS...1STRESPONDENT
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF
THE NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE......................2ND RESPONDENT
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL...................................3RD RESPONDENT
OSURI NICHOLAS....................................................4TH RESPONDENT
EX PARTE APPLICANT:
PETER DAVID LEPARAKWO
RULING
The Application
1. The ex parte Applicant herein has filed an application by way of a Chamber Summons dated 4th February 2021, seeking the following orders:
1. THAT this matter be certified urgent and be heard ex parte in the first instance
2. THAT leave be granted to seek a declaration that the conduct of the Respondents has been illegal/irrational/procedurally improper and a breach of the ex parte Applicant’s legitimate expectations to Administrative action that is expeditions/efficient/reasonable/procedurally fair.
3. THAT leave be granted to seek an Order of Mandamus against the Respondents to compel them to return the ex parte Applicant’s original title document and deed plan to land parcel LR. No. 24968/2 I.R. - 152577 forthwith.
4. THAT any other orders that meet the ends of justice do issue.
5. THAT the costs of this application be borne by the Respondent.
2. The application is supported by a statement dated 4th February 2021 and an affidavit sworn on the same date by the ex parte Applicant.
3. It is evident that theex parte Applicant is seeking orders in relation to the title to land in the said application. Upon perusal of the pleadings, I also note that the Applicant is seeking the orders herein so as to expedite the hearing of proceedings in Nairobi. ELC Case No 152 of 2018 -Cirtex Kenya Limited vs Peter David Leparakwo as consolidated with Nairobi ELC Case No. 691 of 2011 -National Hospital Insurance Fund Board of Management vs Crownline Freighters Ltd, Kaskazi Traders Ltd and the Hon. Attorney General and in which the ex parte Applicant is a party, and which are dealing with the same subject matter as that of this application.
4. This application is therefore in abuse of the process of Court. In addition, any disputes and orders sought in relation to title, use and occupation of land, and relating to the environment now fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Environment and Land Court, pursuant to Articles 162(2) (b) and 165(5) of the Constitution, and section 13 of the Environment and Land Court Act. This Court therefore has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the Chamber Summons dated 4th February 2021.
The Orders
5. In the premise I direct and order that this suit be and is hereby transferred to the Environment and Land Court at Nairobi for further hearing and determination. The ex parte Applicant’s Chamber Summons dated 4th February 2021 shall accordingly be placed before the Duty Judgeat theEnvironment and Land Court at Nairobi on 2nd March2021, for directions.
6. The Deputy Registrar of this Court shall send a copy of this ruling by electronic mail to the ex parte Applicant, and to the Deputy Registrar of the Environment and Land Court at Nairobi, by close of business on 12th February 2021.
7. Orders accordingly.
DATED AND SIGNED AT NAIROBI THIS 5TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2021
P. NYAMWEYA
JUDGE