[2016] KERRT 21 (KLR)
The Tribunal found that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the dispute because the tenant had a duly signed lease agreement for an agreed rent of Kshs. 15,000, which placed the matter outside the scope of the Rent Restriction Act as per Section 2(1)(c) of Cap 296. In the absence of any submissions from the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KERRT 21 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Mwanzia Ronald; Defendant: Gatuanyaga Dairy Farm Co Ltd; Defendant: Njoka & Njoka Services Ltd
- Court
- Rent Restriction Tribunal
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Tribunal Case 522 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Preliminary Objection / Ruling
- Outcome
- preliminary objection upheld; suit dismissed with costs
- Judges
- HK KORIR
- Legal Topics
- Rent Restriction, Jurisdiction of Tribunal, Lease Agreements
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Mwanzia Ronald
Plaintiff
Gatuanyaga Dairy Farm Co Ltd
Defendant
Njoka & Njoka Services Ltd
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Objection / Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Rent Restriction Tribunal has jurisdiction over the subject matter given the existence of a duly signed lease agreement for agreed rent.
- 2 Whether the ex-parte orders previously granted were irregular and should be vacated.
Ratio Decidendi
The Tribunal found that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the dispute because the tenant had a duly signed lease agreement for an agreed rent of Kshs. 15,000, which placed the matter outside the scope of the Rent Restriction Act as per Section 2(1)(c) of Cap 296. In the absence of any submissions from the plaintiff/tenant to challenge this position, the preliminary objection was upheld. Consequently, the application and the suit were dismissed with costs, and any ex-parte orders previously granted were declared irregular and vacated.
Court Disposition
preliminary objection upheld; suit dismissed with costs
Orders
- The preliminary objection is upheld.
- The application and the suit are dismissed with costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
Ronald v Gatuanyaga Dairy Farm Co Ltd & another (Tribunal Case 522 of 2015) [2016] KERRT 21 (KLR) (28 June 2016) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2016] KERRT 21 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Rent Restriction Tribunal
Tribunal Case 522 of 2015
HK KORIR, Chair
June 28, 2016
Between
Mwanzia Ronald
Plaintiff
and
Gatuanyaga Dairy Farm Co Ltd
1st Defendant
Njoka & Njoka Services Ltd
2nd Defendant
Ruling
1. By a Notice of Preliminary Objection filed on 10th September, 2015, the defence objected to these proceedings on the grounds that the Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to deal with the subject matter pursuant to the provisions of Section 2()1(c) of Cap 296.
2. It was also argued that, that being the case the ex-parte orders granted therein therefore was irregular, fatally defective and ought to be vacated.
3. When the mater came up for interpartes hearing on 12/11/2015, both parties Counsels on record agreed to have the Preliminary Objection conversed by way of written submissions and it was directed that the defendants file his submission within 14 days after which the Plaintiff/Tenant was to reply in another 14 days.
4. Though The Defendant filed his submissions on 25/11/20015 there is no record of any submissions filed by the Plaintiff/Tenant.
5. The gist of the defence submission is that the tenant had a duly signed lease agreement for an agreed rent of Kshs. 15, 000/= which was to be renewable annually.
6. The defendant sought to place reliance on JR No. 447 as well as the case of the owners of Motor Vessel SS Lilian v Caltex Oil limited KLR1 1989.
7. In the absence of any submissions by the Plaintiff/Tenant to the contrary,, the Preliminary Objection is upheld, and the application together with the suit dismissed with costs.
RULING DELIVERED IN CHAMBERS THIS 28/6/2016 IN THE ABSENCE OF BOTH PARTIES.ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THIS HONORABLE TRIBUNAL AT NAIROBI ON THIS 28TH DAY OF JUNE 2016. SIGNEDHILLARY K. KORIR - CHAIRMANRENT RESTRICTION TRIBUNAL NAIROBI