[2017] KEELC 1075 (KLR)
The court found that a defence had been filed by the defendants on 3rd July, 2017, and the applicant had not challenged the defence as being a sham or containing only mere denials. As such, the court could not enter judgment at this stage. The court further noted that all parties were related to the deceased, the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEELC 1075 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Sahnkati Ole Menyiku (Suing As The Legal Rep of Joseph Oobo Shankoi); Defendant: Everyne Chepkuru Korir; Defendant: Leitato Ole Mombashi; Defendant: Letui Lempere; Defendant: Stephen Kasi
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Narok
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 280 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Notice of Motion / Ruling on Interlocutory Application for Judgment
- Outcome
- application denied
- Judges
- MN Kullow
- Legal Topics
- Trespass to Land, Succession Disputes, Recovery of Land, Letters of Administration
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Sahnkati Ole Menyiku (Suing As The Legal Rep of Joseph Oobo Shankoi)
Plaintiff
Everyne Chepkuru Korir
Defendant
Leitato Ole Mombashi
Defendant
Letui Lempere
Defendant
Stephen Kasi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Notice of Motion / Ruling on Interlocutory Application for Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should enter judgment for the applicant for recovery of land parcel TRANS MARA/MOITA/125 based on the respondents' alleged trespass and failure to file a defence on time.
- 2 Whether the defence filed by the defendants is valid and precludes entry of judgment at this stage.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that a defence had been filed by the defendants on 3rd July, 2017, and the applicant had not challenged the defence as being a sham or containing only mere denials. As such, the court could not enter judgment at this stage. The court further noted that all parties were related to the deceased, the registered owner of the suit land, and that the matter would benefit from a full hearing where evidence and witness testimony could be properly considered. Accordingly, the application for judgment was denied, and each party was ordered to bear its own costs.
Court Disposition
application denied
Orders
- The application dated 13th February, 2017 is hereby denied.
- Each party to bear its own costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT NAROK
ELC CAUSE NO. 280 OF 2017
SAHNKATI OLE MENYIKU(Suing As The Legal Rep
of JOSEPH OOBO SHANKOI)……………………………..PLAINTIFF
-VERSUS-
EVERYNE CHEPKURU KORIR…………………….1ST DEFENDANT
LEITATO OLE MOMBASHI…………………………2ND DEFENDANT
LETUI LEMPERE…………………………………….3RD DEFENDANT
STEPHEN KASI………………………………………4TH DEFENDANT
RULING
The Plaintiff/Applicant has by way of a Notice of Motion dated 13th February 2017 sought for orders that the court enters judgement for recovery of land parcel Number TRANS MARA/ MOITA/125 the said Application was based on the grounds that the Respondents were trespassers within the meaning of section 45 of the law of succession Act. The Respondents have entered appearance and not filed a defence and that the defendants have wrongfully and unlawfully occupied the aforesaid parcel of land. The Application was further supported by the Affidavit of the Applicant who averred that he was the legal representative of the estate of JOSEPH OOBO SHANKOI and that the suit land was registered in the name of the deceased. He states that the Respondents had trespassed on the suit land without authority and further that they entered into a sale agreement without the grant of letters of administration.
The Respondent had opposed the said application by way of a Replying Affidavit that was sworn by the 2nd Respondent on her own behalf and her co-Respondents/Defendants.
The Respondent depones that she is the legal wife of JOSEPH OOBO SHANKOI who is deceased and that her late husband was the registered owner of the suit parcel of land TRANS MARA/MOITA 125 and that the Applicant is her brother in law who wants to disinherit her and she has been chased away by the Applicant and has been rendered destitute.
I have read the application before me and the Replying Affidavit in opposition to the said application. I have also heard submissions made by counsels appearing for the parties herein and the issue for determination before me is whether I should enter Judgement for the Applicant based on the fact that the Defendant didn’t file their defence on time.
In answering the above question I must satisfy myself on whether there is a defence on record or not. In answering the same I have seen that there is a defence that was field on 3rd July, 2017. This being the case I don’t see how I can enter judgement. The Applicant has not challenged the said defence as being a sham as one that only contains mere denials.
I also note that the parties to the suit are all related to the late JOSEPH OOBO SHANKOI who is deceased and was the owner of the suit land. It will be prudent that this matter do benefit from the conduct of a full hearing in which evidence will be called and witness testimony is heard and the court pronounces itself on the issues in the matter.
In view of the above the Application dated 13th February, 2017 is hereby denied. Each party to bear its costs.
Dated, SignedandDeliveredin open court atNAROKon this 3rd day ofNovember, 2017
Mohammed Noor Kullow
Judge
In the presence of:
N/A for the parties
CA:Chuma