[2019] KEELC 1428 (KLR)

[2019] KEELC 1428 (KLR)

The court found that the National Land Commission acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate in reviewing the grant of the suit property, which was reserved for public purposes and not available for private allocation. The ex-parte applicant was notified, participated in the proceedings, and was given an...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2019] KEELC 1428 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Registered Trustees Fellowship of Believers; Respondent: National Land Commission; Respondent: Bernard K Njau and Godfrey J Mugo (Sued on behalf of Kimathi Estate Welfare Association); Respondent: County Government of Nairobi; Respondent: Chief Land Registrar; Respondent: Commissioner of Lands
Court
Environment and Land Court
Court Station
Environment and Land Court at Nairobi
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Judicial Review 37 of 2017
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review Application / Judgment
Outcome
application dismissed
Judges
BM Eboso
Legal Topics
Public Land Allocation, Judicial Review, Fair Administrative Action, Revocation of Title, Historical Land Injustice
Source Language
en
Land and Property Administrative Law Public Land Allocation Judicial Review Fair Administrative Action Revocation of Title Historical Land Injustice

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Parties

Registered Trustees Fellowship of Believers

Applicant

National Land Commission

Respondent

Bernard K Njau and Godfrey J Mugo (Sued on behalf of Kimathi Estate Welfare Association)

Respondent

County Government of Nairobi

Respondent

Chief Land Registrar

Respondent

Commissioner of Lands

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review Application / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the National Land Commission failed to give the ex-parte applicant a fair hearing prior to its determination.
  2. 2 Whether the Commission violated Article 47(2) of the Constitution by failing to provide written reasons for its decision.
  3. 3 Whether the Commission acted in violation of Section 15(3)(b) of the National Land Commission Act regarding the admission of historical land claims.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the National Land Commission acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate in reviewing the grant of the suit property, which was reserved for public purposes and not available for private allocation. The ex-parte applicant was notified, participated in the proceedings, and was given an opportunity to present its case. The Commission's failure to expressly analyze every submission did not amount to denial of a fair hearing, as the evidence overwhelmingly showed the property was a public utility plot. There was no breach of Article 47(2) of the Constitution, as written reasons and notice were provided. The applicant's argument regarding sub judice failed...

Court Disposition

application dismissed

Orders

  • The ex-parte applicant's notice of motion dated 13/10/2017 is dismissed for lack of merit.
  • The ex-parte applicant shall bear the costs of the suit.