[2004] KEHC 846 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had proper authority to bring the suit by virtue of a registered power of attorney from the registered owner, and there was no requirement to explain why the father did not bring the suit himself. However, the supporting affidavit failed to comply with the mandatory requirements of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2004] KEHC 846 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Thomas Nyaoma Ongondo; Respondent: The District Land Registrars; Respondent: The District Surveyor; Respondent: Stephen Mabeya Arieri
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- ? 67 of 2004
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs
- Legal Topics
- Locus Standi, Power of Attorney, Boundary Disputes, Affidavit Requirements
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Thomas Nyaoma Ongondo
Applicant
The District Land Registrars
Respondent
The District Surveyor
Respondent
Stephen Mabeya Arieri
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff/applicant has locus standi to bring the suit based on a power of attorney.
- 2 Whether the supporting affidavit complies with sections 34 and 35 of the Advocates Act.
- 3 Whether the dispute should be determined by the Land Registrar as a boundary dispute.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had proper authority to bring the suit by virtue of a registered power of attorney from the registered owner, and there was no requirement to explain why the father did not bring the suit himself. However, the supporting affidavit failed to comply with the mandatory requirements of sections 34 and 35 of the Advocates Act, as it did not disclose who drew and filed it. The court held that Order 18 rule 7 of the Civil Procedure Rules does not cure this omission, as it is not a mere defect of misdescription or title. The affidavit was therefore expunged from the record. Without a valid affidavit, the application could not stand as Order 39 rule 1 requires an...
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs
Orders
- The supporting affidavit is expunged from the record.
- The application is dismissed with costs to the respondents.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISII
CIVIL CASE NO. 67 OF 2004
THOMAS NYAOMA ONGONDO ……………………… PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT
VERSUS
1. THE DISTRICT LAND REGISTRARS
2. THE DISTRICT SURVEYOR … ............................. DEFENDANT/RESPONDENTS.
3. STEPHEN MABEYA ARIERI
RULING
Counsel for 3rd Respondent raised a preliminary objection. She submitted that the plaintiff has no locus standi to bring the suit. She said that he is relying on Power of Attorney donated to him by his father the registered owner; of the land in dispute one Ongondo Ongondo. She said the donation was in bad faith as the father testified before the land registrar and said he had no problem with the 3rd defendant/respondent. It was also not explained why the father could not bring the suit himself.
Further it was said the suit is a boundary dispute and the Land Registrar should set the boundaries.
Lastly it was submitted that the affidavit in support of the application do not comply with S.34 and 35 of the Advocates Act and it should be struck out.
The Preliminary Objection was opposed by Mr. Lebu for the applicant. He submitted that there is a copy of power of Attorney donated to the applicant who is a son of the registered owner and as such he has authority to bring the application.
Further he said that though the dispute is over a boundary the two parcels are registered. Their boundaries have already been set.
As for the affidavits in support he referred the court to order 18 rule 7 CPR which he said overrides S.34 & 35 of the Advocates Act.
I have considered the submissions. I find no merit in ground 1. The application has a Power of Attorney donated to him by his father the registered owner. Court was told that it is properly registered. He needed not explain why the father chose to donate the power of Attorney to him to bring the suit.
That the father testified before the land registrar is an issue which I believe should be canvassed during the hearing of the application. It cannot be a basis to dismiss the suit or the application before the hearing.
Indeed S.34 and 35 of the Advocates Act were not complied with and the counsel for applicant sound to concede that. The affidavit in support of the application do not show who drew and filed it. This is a mandatory requirement. Order 18 rule 7 do not cure this serious omission. The omission is not a defect of misdescription/ of the parties or title. That order does not override the provisions of those two section. The affidavit is therefore defective and I order it be expunged from the record.
Having expunged the affidavit the application is hanging. Order 39 rule 1 CPR provides that there be an affidavit to support an application like this. There being no affidavit the application cannot stand and I accordingly dismiss it with costs.
Dated at Kisii this 8th October 2004.
KABURU BAUNI
JUDGE.
8/10/04
Mr. Soire for Mrs. Asati for 3rd Respondent.
Mr. Bigogo for Mr. Lebu for Applicant.