[2021] KEELC 77 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had an alternative statutory remedy under Section 29 of the Land Adjudication Act, which provides for an appeal to the Minister within 60 days of the decision. The applicant did not provide reasons for failing to pursue this remedy before approaching the court for judicial review....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEELC 77 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Samuel Mwangi Kahara; Respondent: DLASO, Upper Athiru Gaiti ‘C’ Adjudication Section; Respondent: Attorney General; Interested Party: Elijah Mutuma Johanna
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Judicial Review 12 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Judicial Review / Judgment
- Outcome
- Application struck out for want of jurisdiction.
- Legal Topics
- Judicial Review, Land Adjudication, Jurisdiction, Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Samuel Mwangi Kahara
Applicant
DLASO, Upper Athiru Gaiti ‘C’ Adjudication Section
Respondent
Attorney General
Respondent
Elijah Mutuma Johanna
Interested Party
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court has jurisdiction to entertain the application for judicial review orders in light of the alternative remedy under Section 29 of the Land Adjudication Act.
- 2 Whether the decision of the 2nd respondent was ultra vires and made without jurisdiction.
- 3 Whether the applicant was denied a fair hearing in the adjudication process.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had an alternative statutory remedy under Section 29 of the Land Adjudication Act, which provides for an appeal to the Minister within 60 days of the decision. The applicant did not provide reasons for failing to pursue this remedy before approaching the court for judicial review. Citing established legal principles, the court held that where a statute provides a clear procedure for redress, that procedure must be strictly followed. The court further emphasized the constitutional and statutory preference for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in land adjudication matters. Consequently, the court held that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the...
Court Disposition
Application struck out for want of jurisdiction.
Orders
- The notice of motion is struck out.
- Costs awarded to the respondents and the interested party.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
38 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT MERU
JUDICIAL REVIEW NO. 12 OF 2019
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPLY
FOR ORDERS OFCERTIORARI, MANDAMUS & PROHIBITIONS
AND
IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS,
PROTECTION AND GUARANTEES UNDER ARTICLE 25(a), (b) and (c), ARTICLE 40
AND
IN THE MATTER OF LAND ACT NO. 12 OF 2012
AND
IN THE MATTER OF LAND ADJUCIATION ACT
SAMUEL MWANGI KAHARA...............................................................................APPLICANT
VERSUS
DLASO, UPPER ATHIRU GAITI ‘C’ ADJUDICATION SECTION.....2ND RESPONDENT
ATTORNEY GENERAL.............................................................................3RD RESPONDENT
ELIJAH MUTUMA JOHANNA............................................................INTERESTED PARTY
JUDGMENT
1. By a notice of motion dated 13. 2.2020, the applicant seeks for orders of certiorari to call for and quash the decision made on 1. 5.2019 by the 2nd respondent and an order of prohibition against the aforesaid 2nd respondent from subdividing Parcel No. 365 Igembe Adjudication Area, Upper Athiru Gaiti ‘C’ Adjudication Sectionand issuing any part thereof to the interested party.
2. The motion is supported by an affidavit verifying the facts sworn on 26. 6.2019 attaching a copy of the decision though not certified, allowing objection No. 22 over Parcel 365.
3. In the statement of facts dated 26. 6.2019, the exparte applicant avers the interested party lodged anA/R objection No. 22 in respect of Parcel No. 365 Lower Athiru Gaiti ‘C’ adjudication Sectionwhich objection was heard and determined through a decision made on 1. 5.2019 whose outcome was to transfer the land to the interested party. The exparte applicant seeks judicial review orders, mandamus, certiorari and prohibition on the grounds the decision was ultra vires, and was made without jurisdiction.
4. With leave, the exparte applicant filed written submissions dated 28. 9.2020 based on the case law of Republic –vs- Chairman Amagoro Land Disputes Tribunal & Another Exparte Paul Mafwabi Wanyama [2014] eKLR, Kenya National Examination Council –vs- Republic Ex-Parte Geofrey Gathenji Njoroge & 9 Others [1997] JELR 100019 (CA) eKLR, Joseph Malakwen Lelei & Another –vs- Rift Valley Land Disputes Appeals Committee & 2 Others [2014] eKLRand urges the court to find the application merited.
5. On the other hand the interested party opposed the motion through a replying affidavit sworn on 14. 4.2021 in which he alleges the Ex-Parte applicant had bought the land from his father before the adjudication process started but upon his death he combined the parcel he had bought with his late father’s land to form Parcel No. 365. That during the adjudication the parcels initially 1890 & 1891 became 364 & 366 respectively. That although combined, on the ground there exists clear boundaries between the two parcels. The interested party claims efforts to seek the exparte applicant to transfer back the land have been futile and hence this application is a fraudulent way to take away the whole land instead of the part which was sold to him.
6. Though the respondents were given an opportunity to file replies to the notice of motion, none had been filed as at the time of writing this judgment.
7. Section 29 of the Land Adjudication Act provides any party aggrieved by a determination of an objection under Section 26 of the Act,to appeal to the Minister within 60 days. The decision given on 1. 5.2019 gave the ex-parte applicant a right of appeal within 60 days.
8. The ex-parte applicant in my view had recourse under Section 29of the Land Adjudication Act to appeal over the denial or lack of fair hearing. He has not given reasons why he did not explore that remedy before coming to court.
9. In Speaker of the National Assembly –vs- James Njenga Karume [1992] eKLRthe Court of Appeal held that where there is a clear procedure for redress of any particular grievance prescribed by the Constitution or an Act of Parliament that procedure should be strictly followed.
10. In Mutanga Tea & Co. Ltd. –vs- Shikara Ltd & Another [2015] eKLR, the court held Article 159 (2) (c) expressly recognizes alternative forms of dispute resolution and the High Court should be at the forefront to promote such mechanism instead of stifling the mandate by usurping its powers. The same was the position taken in Kiroket Ole Punyua –vs- Umash Ole Mwanik & 2 Others [2021] eKLR.
11. In the premises it is my finding the court lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine the dispute. The same is struck out with costs to the respondents and the interested party.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS AT MERU THIS 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2021
In presence of:
Miss Gikundi for Exparte applicant
Kieti for 1st and 2nd respondents
Igweta for interested party
Court Assistant - Kananu
HON. C.K. NZILI
ELC JUDGE