[2017] KEELC 1203 (KLR)
The court found that the Plaintiff is the registered owner of the suit land, Kisumu/Nyalunya/3655, as evidenced by the green card and supporting sale agreements. The Defendant did not present any substantive challenge to the Plaintiff's title in accordance with the law. Under Section 26 of the Land Registration Act,...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEELC 1203 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Roselyne E Okumu; Defendant: Dorine Aluoch Adhiambo
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 161 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Temporary Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Application
- Outcome
- Application allowed. Temporary injunction confirmed. Costs to the Plaintiff.
- Legal Topics
- Temporary Injunctions, Land Title Registration, Prima Facie Case, Ownership Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Roselyne E Okumu
Plaintiff
Dorine Aluoch Adhiambo
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Temporary Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Plaintiff has established a prima facie case with a probability of success to warrant the grant of a temporary injunction.
- 2 Who should bear the costs of the application.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the Plaintiff is the registered owner of the suit land, Kisumu/Nyalunya/3655, as evidenced by the green card and supporting sale agreements. The Defendant did not present any substantive challenge to the Plaintiff's title in accordance with the law. Under Section 26 of the Land Registration Act, the Plaintiff's title is absolute and indefeasible unless successfully challenged, which had not occurred. The Plaintiff therefore established a prima facie case with a probability of success, justifying the grant of a temporary injunction to preserve the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The interim orders previously granted were confirmed, and...
Court Disposition
Application allowed. Temporary injunction confirmed. Costs to the Plaintiff.
Orders
- Temporary injunction restraining the Defendant from trespassing, building, interring remains, or otherwise interfering with land parcel Kisumu/Nyalunya/3655 pending determination of the suit.
- Costs of the application awarded to the Plaintiff.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
43 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT KISUMU
ELC CASE NO.161 of 2016
ROSELYN E OKUMU................................................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
DORINE ALUOCH ADHIAMBO ...........................................DEFENDANT
RULING
1. Roselyne Okumu, the plaintiff, seeks vide notice of motion dated 6th July 2016, for temporary injunction restraining Dorine Aluoch Adhiambo, the Defendant, from trespassing upon, building upon, interring the remains of anyone or in any other way dealing in or interfering with land parcel Kisumu/Nyalunya/3655 pending the hearing and determination of this suit. The application is based on the six (6) grounds marked (1) to (6) on its face and is supported by the affidavits sworn by the Plaintiff on the 6th July 2016 and 8th November 2016.
2. The notice of motion is opposed by the Defendant through her replying affidavit sworn on the 22nd August 2016.
3. The counsel for the Plaintiff and the Defendant filed their written submissions dated 22nd May 2017 and 1st March 2017 respectively.
4. The following are the issues for the court’s determination;
a) Whether the Plaintiff has established a prima facie case with a probability of success upon which temporary order of injunction can issue at this stage.
b) Who pays the costs.
5. The court has carefully considered the grounds on the notice of motion, affidavit evidence by both parties, written submissions by counsel and come to the following findings;
a) That Land parcel Kisumu/Nyalunya/3655, the suit land, is registered in the name of Roselyne Okumu since 2nd September 2013 following a transfer by Robson Odhiambo Ndeng. That is confirmed by the copy of the green card that is annexed to the Plaintiff’s list of documents.
b) That the said land is indicated to be a subdivision of plot No.3496 in the said green card.
c) That the Plaintiff obtained the suit land through the agreement of sale of a portion of Kisumu /Nyalunya/3496 as confirmed by the copies of the agreement dated 27th May 2011, and acknowledgement of payments dated 28th June 2012 and 11th September 2012 between Robson Ondeng Odhiambo and herself.
d) That even though the Defendant depones that she was not aware of the transactions between Robson Ondeng Adhiambo, who is her late father in law, and the Plaintiff, it is apparent the Plaintiff title to the said suit land has never been challenged in accordance with Article 40 of the Constitution and Section 26 of the Land Registration Act No.3 of 2012. That according to the provisions of Section 26 of the Land Registration Act, the court is obligated to take the Plaintiff as the absolute and indefeasible owner of the said suit land until and unless her title to the said land is successfully challenged.
e) That the Plaintiff has therefore established a case for issuing of temporary order of injunction in terms of the interim order issued on the 6th July 2016 pending the hearing and determination of this suit.
6. That flowing from the foregoing the notice of motion dated 6th July 2016 is allowed with costs in terms of the interim order of 6th July 2016, which is hereby confirmed.
Orders accordingly.
S.M. KIBUNJA
ENVIRONMENT & LAND – JUDGE
DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 18TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2017
In presence of;
Plaintiff Absent
Defendant Absent
Counsel Mr. Yogo for the Plaintiff
M/S Adwar for the Defendant
S.M. KIBUNJA
ENVIRONMENT & LAND – JUDGE
18/10/2017
18/10/2017
S.M. Kibunja judge
Oyugi/Joane court Assistant
Parties absent
Mr. Yogo for Plaintiff/Applicant
M/S Adwar for Defendant/Respondent
Court: The ruling dated and delivered in open court in presence of
Mr. Yogo and M/S Adwar for the Plaintiff and Defendant respectively.
S.M. KIBUNJA
ENVIRONMENT & LAND – JUDGE
18/10/2017