[2002] KEHC 111 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant was not given an opportunity to present his case before the Tribunal, constituting a breach of the rules of natural justice. Additionally, the Tribunal reheard a matter already decided between the same parties and on the same issues, acting beyond its jurisdiction (ultra vires) and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2002] KEHC 111 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Ganze Divisional Land Disputes Tribunal; Applicant: Kahindi Ndundi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Miscellaneous Application 86 of 2002
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Legal Topics
- Judicial Review, Certiorari, Natural Justice, Ultra Vires, Res Judicata
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Ganze Divisional Land Disputes Tribunal
Respondent
Kahindi Ndundi
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the decision of the Ganze Divisional Land Disputes Tribunal should be quashed for breach of natural justice.
- 2 Whether the Tribunal acted ultra vires by rehearing a matter already decided between the same parties.
- 3 Whether the applicant was denied an opportunity to be heard before the Tribunal.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant was not given an opportunity to present his case before the Tribunal, constituting a breach of the rules of natural justice. Additionally, the Tribunal reheard a matter already decided between the same parties and on the same issues, acting beyond its jurisdiction (ultra vires) and violating the principle of res judicata. The absence of opposition from the respondent further supported the presumption that the applicant's evidence was true. Consequently, the court held that the Tribunal's decision was tainted by illegality and procedural impropriety, warranting the grant of an order of certiorari to quash the impugned decision.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- Order of certiorari granted quashing the decision of Ganze Divisional Land Disputes Tribunal in Land Dispute No.GD/LND.4/2002 dated 18.12.2000.
- Costs awarded to the applicant.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
15 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MOMBASA
CIVIL MISC APPL 86 OF 2002
REPUBLIC…………………………………………………………………APPLICANT
A N D
GANZE DIVISIONAL LAND DISPUTES TRIBUNAL…………………….1ST RESPONDENT
(Ex-parte KAHINDI NDUNDI)
R U L I N G
I have considered the grounds upon which this application is brought as contained in the supporting documents. I have also heard and considered the argument presented by Mr. Masika for the Applicant. I am of the opinion that there are good reasons for removing the said decision of Ganze Divisional Land Disputes Tribunal to this court for the purpose of quashing the same. This application is not opposed by any replying affidavits or otherwise despite the fact that it was served upon the Chairman of the Tribunal. The evidence adduced in the statement of facts and other related documents is accordingly presumed to be true since it is on oath.
The Respondent also chose not to attend during this hearing, confirming that he is not caring as to whether or not this court makes the serious orders prayed for in this application. It has been shown that the Applicant was not given an opportunity to put up his case before the Tribunal. The Tribunal acted in breach of a basic right of the Applicant. It was a breach of a rule of natural justice which accordingly taints the decision delivered by the Tribunal. The decision also is shown to have been an affront against another basic rule of justice, that a matter decided between the same parties in respect of the same issues, should not be decided a second time by the same Tribunal or another having jurisdiction to try it.
In subjecting the same matter between the same parties and in respect to the same issues to trial for the second time, the Tribunal acted ultra vires its powers. The process also indeed amounted to an abuse of the Tribunal’s sense of justice and discretion. I accordingly allow this application as prayed with costs. The order of Certiorari is granted. The order of Ganze Division Land Disputes Tribunal in Land Dispute No.GD/LND.4/2002 dated 18. 12. 2000 is hereby recalled to this court and quashed.
Dated and delivered at Mombasa this 5th day of June, 2002.
D. A. ONYANCHA
J U D G E