[2017] KEELC 1124 (KLR)
The court found that since the suit land had been transferred to Humphrey Muteru Kaburu, he was a necessary party to the proceedings and should be joined as a substantive defendant to the counterclaim, not merely as an interested party. The court exercised its discretion to allow the amendment of the counterclaim to...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEELC 1124 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Stephen Muteru Kaburu; Defendant: Haron Muchiri Muteru; Defendant: Humphrey Muteru Kaburu
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 287 of 2012
- Procedural Posture
- Application to Amend Counterclaim / Ruling on Application to Enjoin New Party and Amend Counterclaim
- Outcome
- Application allowed.
- Judges
- MA Silau
- Legal Topics
- Joinder of Parties, Amendment of Pleadings, Injunctive Relief, Land Ownership Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Stephen Muteru Kaburu
Plaintiff
Haron Muchiri Muteru
Defendant
Humphrey Muteru Kaburu
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Application to Amend Counterclaim / Ruling on Application to Enjoin New Party and Amend Counterclaim
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether Humphrey Muteru Kaburu should be enjoined as a party to the proceedings.
- 2 Whether the applicant is entitled to an injunction restraining dealings with the suit land pending determination of the suit.
- 3 Whether the applicant should be allowed to amend the counterclaim to reflect the new party.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that since the suit land had been transferred to Humphrey Muteru Kaburu, he was a necessary party to the proceedings and should be joined as a substantive defendant to the counterclaim, not merely as an interested party. The court exercised its discretion to allow the amendment of the counterclaim to reflect this change and to ensure that all issues relating to the ownership and dealings of the suit land could be fully and finally determined. The court further found it appropriate to grant an order of inhibition and injunction to preserve the suit property and prevent any further dealings until the matter is heard and determined, as there was no opposition to the...
Court Disposition
Application allowed.
Orders
- Humphrey Muteru Kaburu is enjoined as 2nd defendant in the counterclaim.
- The applicant is directed to amend and file the necessary pleadings within 7 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
33 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT OF KENYA
AT NAKURU
ELC NO. 287 OF 2012
STEPHEN MUTERU KABURU.........................................................PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
HARON MUCHIRI MUTERU.......................................................DEFENDANT
AND
HUMPREY MUTERU KABURU...........PROPOSED INTERESTED PARTY
RULING
( Application to amend counterclaim to introduce a new party; application allowed).
1. The application before me is that dated 22 September 2015 filed by the defendant. It seeks orders to enjoin one Humphrey Muteru Kaburu as interested party to these proceedings and an order of injunction to restrain the plaintiff and the interested party from selling or in any other way dealing with the land parcel Bahati/Kabatini Block 1/2512 until this case is finalized. Before I go to the reasons why the applicant has thought it fit to seek these orders, I think it is important that I give a little background on this suit.
2. This case was commenced on 13 October 2005 by way of plaint. In his plaint, the plaintiff averred that he is the registered proprietor of the land parcel Bahati/Kabatini Block 1/2512 (hereinafter referred to as "the suit land"). He pleaded that in December 1993, the applicant who was then living in Molo South, asked the plaintiff for assistance as he had been forced to leave his family home owing to tribal clashes. It is averred that on 18 April 2005, the applicant placed an unlawful restriction in the register of the suit land and is demanding a share of the property. In the suit, the plaintiff asked for orders that the applicant be evicted from the suit land; removal of the restriction; and a perpetual injunction to restrain the applicant from the suit land.
3. The applicant entered appearance and filed a defence and counterclaim. He inter alia pleaded that the plaintiff is registered as trustee of the suit land for the benefit of the applicant and their mother. He averred that this land was initially owned by their father until 16 April 1989 when the plaintiff procured registration by way of fraud and laid claim to the whole of the land. In the counterclaim, he asked that it be declared that the plaintiff holds a half share of the land in trust for the applicant; and for a cancellation of the title of the plaintiff so that the applicant may get his share.
4. Nothing much transpired in the matter as it appears that the plaintiff relocated to the United States of America. That explains the reason why this suit has been pending in court since the year 2005. In his application, the applicant has averred that he conducted a search which now shows that the plaintiff has transferred the suit land to his son, one Humphrey Muteru Kaburu, who he now proposes to enjoin as interested party and to have him restrained from any dealings.
5. I allowed the applicant to serve the respondents by substituted means and none has filed anything to oppose this motion.
6. On my part, I have no reason to decline the application. It is said that the party sought to be added is now the registered proprietor and I find it necessary that he be added to these proceedings. The only issue that I have, is the proposal to have him added as interested party. To me, the said Humphrey needs to be added as a substantive party, specifically the 2nd defendant to the counterclaim. 7. Apart from that, I cannot fault the applicant for filing this application.
8. I therefore allow the application but direct that Humphrey Muteru Kaburu be enjoined as 2nd defendant in the counterclaim. I further direct the applicant to effect the necessary amendments to his pleadings and file the same within 7 days from today. I also issue an order of inhibition barring the registration of any disposition in the register of the suit property and issue an order of injunction barring the defendants in the counterclaim from entering into any dealings until this suit is heard and determined.
9. The costs of the application will be in the cause.
10. It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered in open court at Nakuru this 18th day of October 2017.
MUNYAO SILA
JUDGE
ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT
AT NAKURU
In presence of : -
No appearance on the part of M/s Kamonjo Kiburi & Co. Advocates for the applicant
No appearance on the part of the respondent
Court assistant : Carlton Toroitich
MUNYAO SILA
JUDGE
ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT
AT NAKURU