[2013] KEHC 115 (KLR)
The court found that the Protestors were aware of the court's earlier orders and had engaged in negotiations for an out-of-court settlement, undermining their claim of ignorance. The explanation for the delay was therefore not credible. Furthermore, since the grant had already been confirmed, granting an extension...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 115 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Samuel Kagecha Mwangi; Respondent: Edward Kimani Gachango & Others
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nyeri
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 274 of 2010
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Ruling on Application for Extension of Time and Stay of Survey
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs to the respondent
- Legal Topics
- Extension of Time, Confirmation of Grant, Trust Claims, Costs Award
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Samuel Kagecha Mwangi
Applicant
Edward Kimani Gachango & Others
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Ruling on Application for Extension of Time and Stay of Survey
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Protestors are entitled to an extension of time to file a suit based on trust after the lapse of the initial 90 days.
- 2 Whether the Protestors were properly informed of the court's earlier orders and whether their explanation for delay is credible.
- 3 Whether granting the extension would serve any useful purpose given the confirmation of the grant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the Protestors were aware of the court's earlier orders and had engaged in negotiations for an out-of-court settlement, undermining their claim of ignorance. The explanation for the delay was therefore not credible. Furthermore, since the grant had already been confirmed, granting an extension of time to file a suit based on trust would serve no useful purpose unless the confirmed grant was first revoked or annulled. The application was thus dismissed as lacking merit.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs to the respondent
Orders
- The Protestors' application for extension of time and stay of survey is dismissed.
- Costs awarded to the Respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
19 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NYERI
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 274 OF 2010
IN THE MATTER OF JONAH KAGECHU MUGEKENYI alias JOHNAH KAGECHU (DECEASED)
AND
SAMUEL KAGECHA MWANGI....................................PETITIONER
VERSUS
EDWARD KIMANI GACHANGO & OTHERS........PROTESTORS
JUDGMENT
On 25/02/2011, this court issued an order staying further proceedings in this cause. In the same ruling, this court directed the Protestors' to file the necessary action to establish their claim based on trust. It would appear the 90 days lapsed before the action was filed. On 4th November, 2011 this court proceeded to issue orders confirming the grant on the application of the Petitioner. The Protestors' have now taken out the summons dated 12th July, 2012 in which they seek forinteralia:
(i) An order for stay of survey of the estate land.
(ii) An order extending time by 90 days to file an action to establish their claim based on trust.
The main reason advanced in support of the application for extension of time is that their erstwhile advocate did not inform them of the court's orders directing them to file a suit based on trust. The Respondent on the other hand stated that the Protestors' were not candid. The Respondent annexed correspondences exchanged between learned advocates showing the Protestors' were actually negotiating for an out of court settlement. After a critical examination of material placed before this court, I am convinced the Protestors' are not as innocent as they represented to this court. I am satisfied, their erstwhile advocate informed them the decision of this court and that is why their advocate Mr. Gacheru wrote to the Respondent's advocate seeking to settle the dispute out of court. I therefore see no merit in the application. In any case the order confirming the grant has been given. Even if I gave the orders extending time for the Protestors' to file a suit, it will serve no useful purpose because the confirmed grant must first be revoked and or annulled to accommodate the Protestors' claim if any.
For the above reason, I find the Protestors' application without merit. It is dismissed with costs to the Respondent.
Dated, Signed and delivered this 16th day of December 2013.
J.K.SERGON
JUDGE
- In open Court in the presence of Mr. Wachira holding brief of Mr. Kirubi for Respodent.
- N/A for the Applicant.