[2015] KEHC 3970 (KLR)
The court found that the restriction placed on the defendant's land was directly linked to the pendency of the suit filed by the plaintiff in 1990. Since the suit was dismissed for want of prosecution in 2006 and no further action has been taken for over nine years, the basis for maintaining the restriction no...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 3970 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Stephen Mbaya M'Mugunga; Defendant: Alexander Murithi M'Mutunga
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case 48 of 1990
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ruling on Application to Lift Restriction
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- FM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Land Restriction, Inhibition Orders, Dismissal for Want of Prosecution
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Stephen Mbaya M'Mugunga
Plaintiff
Alexander Murithi M'Mutunga
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Application to Lift Restriction
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the restriction/inhibition on parcel ABOTHUGUCHI/MARIENE/744 should be lifted after dismissal of the suit for want of prosecution.
- 2 Whether the defendant is entitled to utilize the land free from restriction after the suit was dismissed.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the restriction placed on the defendant's land was directly linked to the pendency of the suit filed by the plaintiff in 1990. Since the suit was dismissed for want of prosecution in 2006 and no further action has been taken for over nine years, the basis for maintaining the restriction no longer exists. The court held that it would be unjust to continue restricting the defendant's use of his land in the absence of any subsisting claim or litigation. Therefore, the restriction should be lifted to allow the defendant to freely deal with his property.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- The restriction placed upon title No. ABOTHUGUCHI/MARIENE/744 is lifted forthwith.
- The concerned Registrar is ordered to take necessary action to implement this order.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MERU
CIVIL CASE NO. 48 OF 1990
STEPHEN MBAYA M'MUGUNGA...........PLAINTIFF/RESPONDENT
VERSUS
ALEXANDER MURITHI M'MUTUNGA.....DEFENDANT/APPLICANT
R U L I N G
This application is dated 27th April, 2015 and seeks orders
THAT this Honourable court be pleased to lift/discharge the orders of restriction granted restricting all dealings on the parcel of land No. ABOTHUGUCHI/MARIENE/744.
THAT this Honourable Court do issue such further or better orders it deems fit as sell to meet the ends of justice.
THAT costs of this application be borne by the respondents.
It has the following grounds:
(a) That the plaintiff filed this case way back in 1990 against the applicant.
(b)That the orders of inhibition were issued way back on 16. 5.90 and the suit was dismissed for want of prosecution on 31. 3.06.
(c) That before the suit was dismissed, the matter had not been prosecuted for about 13 years necessitating the honourable court to move, sue and dismiss the same.
(d) The defendant is desirous to utilize his land and thus prays for the restriction to be lifted.
It is also buttressed by the Supporting Affidavit of the defendant sworn on 27th April, 2015.
It is noted that this suit was dismissed for want of prosecution on 31. 3.06. the apposite restriction was registered against the suit land on 16. 5.1990, 25 years ago. This suit was dismissed over 9 years ago. I find that the application merits to be allowed.
In the circumstances it is directed as follows:
The Restriction placed Upon title No. ABOTHUGUCHI/MARIENE/744 be lifted forthwith and the concerned Registrar is ordered to take necessary action to implement this order.
Costs shall be in the cause.
The Executive Officer and the Registry should have this suit noted as finally determined.
Delivered in Open Court at Meru this 4th day of May, 2015 in the presence of:
Cc. Lilian/Daniel
Miss Kiome for the defendant
P. M. NJOROGE
JUDGE