[2015] KEHC 6468 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had established a prima facie case with a probability of success based on evidence, including a surveyor's report and photographs, showing that the respondent had encroached on the applicant's land and constructed semi-permanent structures. The court held that this constituted...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 6468 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Roselyne Otago; Respondent: Jonathan Nyangau
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 180 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Injunction
- Outcome
- injunction granted in favour of the applicant; costs to the applicant
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Injunctive Relief, Land Ownership Disputes, Trespass, Boundary Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Roselyne Otago
Applicant
Jonathan Nyangau
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Injunction Application / Ruling on Interlocutory Injunction
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant has established a prima facie case with a probability of success for grant of an interlocutory injunction.
- 2 Whether the applicant will suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted.
- 3 Whether the balance of convenience favors granting the injunction.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had established a prima facie case with a probability of success based on evidence, including a surveyor's report and photographs, showing that the respondent had encroached on the applicant's land and constructed semi-permanent structures. The court held that this constituted trespass and that the applicant was entitled to protection through an interlocutory injunction to preserve the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The court applied the principles from Giella v Cassman Brown and Mrao Ltd v First American Bank of Kenya Ltd, concluding that the applicant met the threshold for injunctive relief.
Court Disposition
injunction granted in favour of the applicant; costs to the applicant
Orders
- The respondent is hereby injuncted from trespassing, selling, transferring, alienating, developing, charging or in any manner interfering with the applicant’s possession and ownership of LR/No. Mavoko Township Block 3(Waswa) 4032 pending hearing and determination of the suit.
- The respondent shall pay the costs of the application.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
CIVIL CASE NO. 180 OF 2012
ROSELYNE OTAGO …………………........……..PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT
VERSUS
JONATHAN NYANGAU…………………….DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
R U L I N G
1. The Applicant, Roselyne Otagofiled an application dated 25th May, 2012 seeking injunction orders restraining the Respondent, Jonathan Nyangau from trespassing, selling, transferring, alienating, developing, charging and or in any manner interfering with the applicant’s possession and ownership of LR/No. Mavoko Township Block 3(Waswa) 4032(subject land) pending hearing and determination of the suit.
2. The application is based on grounds that the Applicant acquired the suit premises from Waswaafter paying a consideration of Kshs. 41,000/= making her a bonafideowner. The Respondent has now encroached on it and commenced excavation with a view of developing it.
3. In her supporting affidavit, the applicant deponed that she purchased the subject land and she was issued with a title deed. She went to the portion of land in September, 2007 only to find the appellant, the owner of Plot No. 4033 having encroached on her parcel No. 4032. The land was surveyed by the Waswa Welfare Society’s surveyor in the presence of both parties who confirmed that the respondent had encroached on her land and fenced it off with a barbed wire. Beacons were identified. Despite the findings the respondent went ahead to develop the land. She reported the matter to the administration and the Land Registrar.
4. In a response thereto, the respondent filed a replying affidavit stating that he was allocated seven parcels of land by Waswa LR No. Mavoko Township 4033, 4034, 4035, 4060, 4061 and 4062. He denied having encroached on the applicant’s land. He stated that the structures shown on photographs are structures on Plot No. 4033 and not the subject land.
5. In a further affidavit filed by the applicant she stated that the District Surveyor’s report confirmed encroachment on the subject premises by the respondent.
6. Conditions for granting of an interlocutory injunction were set out in the case of Giella versus Cassan Brown[1973] E.A.358. The applicant must establish a prima facie case with a probability of success, that he/she will suffer irreparable damage should the orders sought be denied and where the court is in doubt, it should decide the application on a balance of convenience.
7. A prima facie case was defined by the Court of Appeal in the case of Mrao Ltd versus First American Bank of Kenya Ltd & 2 others[2003] eKLR as:-
“…in a civil application includes but is not confined to a “genuine and arguable case”
It is a case which, on the material presented to the court, a tribunal properly directing itself will conclude that there exists a right which has apparently been infringed by the opposite party as to call for an explanation or rebuttal from the later.”
8. In the instant case both parties are in agreement that they own separate parcels of land. The applicant owns Mavoko Township Block 3(Waswa) 4032while the respondent owns Mavoko Township Block 3 (Waswa) 4033 and other 6 titles aforementioned. Admitting that he has commenced development of the portion, the respondent argues that he has fenced off his own parcel of land but not the applicants.
9. The applicant has demonstrated by way of annexed photographs ‘RO4’ the ongoing development on the land. These developments according to the respondent are on his portion of land. The main contention herein is therefore the actual boundary between the two (2) plots. The District Surveyor having visited the land found that the respondent being the proprietor of parcel Number, 4033 had encroached on parcel number 4032 entirely and having constructed semi-permanent structures thereon. This would be a clear case of trespass. It is evidence that the applicant has established a prima facie case with a probability of success. It calls upon this court to remedy the situation on interim basis by injuncting the respondent from continuing with the development pending hearing and determination of the suit.
10. I therefore grant orders injuncting the respondent as sought.
11. The respondent is condemned to pay costs of the application.
12. It is so ordered.
DATED, SIGNEDand DELIVERED at MACHAKOS this14THday of JANUARY, 2015.
L.N. MUTENDE
JUDGE