[2024] KEELC 3987 (KLR)
The court held that the defendant's application to cross-examine a government valuer could not be granted because no government valuer's report had been filed upon which such cross-examination could be based. The court emphasized that the parties had already agreed to the valuer whose report was before the court,...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEELC 3987 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Munir Mohamed Sketty (As the legal representative of the Estate of Nassor Mohamed Nahdy - Deceased); Defendant: Abdalla Shariff Ahmed Omar
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 237 of 2010
- Procedural Posture
- Environment and Land Case / Ruling on Application for Leave to Cross Examine Government Valuer and Directions on Adoption of Valuation Report
- Outcome
- Application to cross-examine government valuer refused; matter referred back to Deputy Registrar for further orders.
- Judges
- SM Kibunja
- Legal Topics
- Valuation Reports, Cross Examination of Experts, Adoption of Reports
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Munir Mohamed Sketty (As the legal representative of the Estate of Nassor Mohamed Nahdy - Deceased)
Plaintiff
Abdalla Shariff Ahmed Omar
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Environment and Land Case / Ruling on Application for Leave to Cross Examine Government Valuer and Directions on Adoption of Valuation Report
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the defendant is entitled to cross-examine a government valuer in the absence of a filed government valuation report.
- 2 Whether the Deputy Registrar should proceed to adopt the existing valuation report and determine values as previously directed.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the defendant's application to cross-examine a government valuer could not be granted because no government valuer's report had been filed upon which such cross-examination could be based. The court emphasized that the parties had already agreed to the valuer whose report was before the court, and allowing the defendant's request would only serve to prolong the litigation unnecessarily. The court further directed that the matter be referred back to the Deputy Registrar to ensure compliance with previous directions regarding the adoption of the valuation report and determination of values, in order to bring the matter to a close without undue delay.
Court Disposition
Application to cross-examine government valuer refused; matter referred back to Deputy Registrar for further orders.
Orders
- The defendant's application for leave to cross-examine a government valuer is refused.
- The matter is referred back to the Deputy Registrar for further necessary orders in accordance with previous directions.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
Sketty (As the legal representative of the Estate of Nassor Mohamed Nahdy - Deceased) v Omar (Environment & Land Case 237 of 2010) [2024] KEELC 3987 (KLR) (2 May 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEELC 3987 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Mombasa
Environment & Land Case 237 of 2010
SM Kibunja, J
May 2, 2024
Between
Munir Mohamed Sketty (As the legal representative of the Estate of Nassor Mohamed Nahdy - Deceased)
Plaintiff
and
Abdalla Shariff Ahmed Omar
Defendant
Ruling
1. This matter was referred to this court for further directions by the Deputy Registrar, on the 13th March 2024. Mr. Kimani and Khamis, learned counsel for the defendant and plaintiff respectively made their oral submissions on the 23rd April 2024, which I have considered.
2. From the submissions tendered by both sides, there is no doubt the counsel are in agreement the role of adopting the report filed and determination of the values is to be done by the Deputy Registrar. I have perused the record and it is apparent that has not been done.
3. The record also confirms that the defendant applied to cross examine the “auditor, Irungu Macharia” on the 6th December 2023, and the Deputy Registrar ordered that “The defendant to cross examine the valuer & auditor on their reports on 13th December 2023. Defendant to effect summons.” The record further confirms that Macharia and Robert were cross examined on the 13th December 2023. The record further shows that on the 13th March 2024, counsel for the defendant sought for “leave to examine the government valuer.” That request was not granted, and the matter was referred to this court.
4. I have perused the record and have not seen any report filed by any government valuer upon which the request for cross examination could have been based. The application by the defendant if allowed would require such a report to be sought for and filed first before the maker can be summoned and cross examined. Indeed, the Deputy Registrar observed on 13th March 2024, and correctly so that “We must appreciate that litigation must come to an end. It is highly unlikely that outcomes will satisfy all parties. Since the parties agreed to the valuer who they presented, and was chosen by the court, I am unable to allow the defendants‘s prayer to call for a government valuer to come up with another report. This is opening a window for more litigation.” I do not find any basis for the defendant’s quest to cross examine a government valuer on a report that is yet to be made and filed.
5. That flowing from the court’s ruling of 11th October 2023, what is remaining now is for the Deputy Registrar to ensure compliance with direction 6 (c) thereof, if the parties have failed to come up with a consent. The matter is hereby referred back to the Deputy Registrar for further necessary orders. In accordance with the directions given earlier so as to bring this matter to a closure, without undue delay.
DATED AND VIRTUALLY DELIVERED THIS 2ND DAY OF MAY 2024. S. M. Kibunja, J.ELC MOMBASAIN THE PRESENCE OF:PLAINTIFF : Mr. Khamis for AbubakarDEFENDANT : No appearanceWILSON – COURT ASSISTANT.S. M. Kibunja, J.ELC MOMBASA.ELC NO. 237 OF 2010 – RULING Page 1 of 1