[2013] KEHC 3373 (KLR)

[2013] KEHC 3373 (KLR)

The court found that the District Land Registrar is under a statutory duty, pursuant to section 21(2) of the Registered Land Act, to determine and indicate the position of uncertain or disputed boundaries upon application by an interested party. The Registrar's refusal to act on the basis that the boundaries were...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2013] KEHC 3373 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Republic; Respondent: District Land Registrar, Nairobi; Applicant: Daniel Njogu Ndung’u; Respondent: Patrick Kariuki Muiruri
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Judicial Review 11 of 2010
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Judgment
Outcome
Application allowed. Order of mandamus granted.
Judges
GV Odunga
Legal Topics
Boundary Disputes, Mandamus Orders, Registered Land Act, Public Officer Duties
Source Language
en
Land and Property Administrative Law Boundary Disputes Mandamus Orders Registered Land Act Public Officer Duties

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Parties

Republic

Applicant

District Land Registrar, Nairobi

Respondent

Daniel Njogu Ndung’u

Applicant

Patrick Kariuki Muiruri

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the District Land Registrar has a statutory duty to hear and determine the boundary dispute between the applicant and the interested party under section 21 of the Registered Land Act.
  2. 2 Whether the Registrar's refusal to determine the dispute on grounds of 'fixed boundaries' is legally justified.
  3. 3 Whether the application is res judicata or an abuse of court process.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the District Land Registrar is under a statutory duty, pursuant to section 21(2) of the Registered Land Act, to determine and indicate the position of uncertain or disputed boundaries upon application by an interested party. The Registrar's refusal to act on the basis that the boundaries were 'fixed' was not supported by evidence, and referring the matter to the Provincial Surveyor did not discharge the Registrar's statutory obligation. The court further held that the doctrine of res judicata did not apply as the previous suit was struck out and not determined on its merits. The application was also found to have been filed within the prescribed time. Consequently,...

Court Disposition

Application allowed. Order of mandamus granted.

Orders

  • An order of mandamus is issued directing the District Land Registrar, Nairobi to hear and determine the boundary dispute between the applicant and the interested party regarding NAIROBI/BLOCK 94/78 and NAIROBI/BLOCK 94/77 within 30 days of the applicant complying with necessary requirements.
  • The applicant is awarded the costs of these proceedings.