[2019] KEELC 4601 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had previously filed an application seeking similar orders, which was fully heard and dismissed. The current application, seeking essentially the same relief, was brought instead of progressing the main suit to hearing. The court held that this amounted to an abuse of the court...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEELC 4601 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Veronica Wangui Achuo; Respondent: Naomi Wanjiru; Respondent: Gerald Thiong’o Kanyingi
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 1521 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Notice of Motion / Ruling on Interlocutory Application
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Legal Topics
- Injunctive Relief, Beneficial Ownership, Trespass, Allocation of Land, Association Land Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Veronica Wangui Achuo
Applicant
Naomi Wanjiru
Respondent
Gerald Thiong’o Kanyingi
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Notice of Motion / Ruling on Interlocutory Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to restraining orders against the respondents regarding Nairobi/Block No.107/1106 plot No.1228.
- 2 Whether the application constitutes an abuse of court process due to previous similar applications.
- 3 Whether the applicant has established a prima facie case for the grant of interlocutory injunction.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had previously filed an application seeking similar orders, which was fully heard and dismissed. The current application, seeking essentially the same relief, was brought instead of progressing the main suit to hearing. The court held that this amounted to an abuse of the court process, as it unnecessarily delayed the conclusion of the matter. No new grounds or circumstances were presented to justify reconsideration of the previously dismissed relief. Consequently, the application lacked merit and was dismissed without orders as to costs.
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The Notice of Motion dated 9th November 2018 is dismissed.
- No orders as to costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
28 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT OF KENYA
AT MILIMANI
ELC CASE NO. 1521 OF 2016
VERONICA WANGUI ACHUO......................PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT
=VERSUS=
NAOMI WANJIRU..............................1ST DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
GERALD THIONG’O KANYINGI...2ND DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
RULING:
1. The plaintiff/applicant filed a Notice of Motion dated 9th November 2018 in which she sought the following orders:-
1) Spent
2) Spent
3) That this Honourable Court be pleased to issue restraining orders, restraining the Defendants/Respondents from allowing and or making any further dealings in respects to Nairobi/Block No.107/1106 plot No.1228 issued by Umoja II Jua Kali Association until this matter is heard and determined.
4) That this Honourable Court be pleased to order the OCS Buruburu Police Station, the County Security Agents and the Chief to ensure and enforce compliance with the orders of temporary injunction on trespass and encroachment until the matter is heard inter parties.
5) That this Honourable Court be pleased to grant any other order, relief and or further orders or reliefs as it may deem necessary to grant in the interests of justice and fairness.
6) That costs of this application be in the cause.
2. The applicant contends that she is the beneficial owner of Nairobi/ Block 107/1106 plot No.1228 (suit property) which was given to her by Umoja II Jua Kali Association. The suit property initially belonged to the 2nd respondent who was however dispossessed of the same for non-compliance with requirements of Umoja II Jua Kali Association. The re-possessed plot was then allocated to one Peter Mwaura Ndungu who sold it to the applicant.
3. The applicant contends that she has been paying land rates in respect of the suit property and has even paid survey fees and fees for processing of titles. Sometime in 2006, the 1st respondent who is the wife of the wife of the 2nd respondent went to the suit property and erected structures on the same. The applicant sought the intervention of the police and members of the Association to no avail. It is on this basis that the applicant has made this application.
4. The application was duly served upon the respondents’ advocates who did not file any response to the application. I have considered the application by the applicant and must say at the outset that this application is an abuse of the process of the court. The applicant had filed a similar application dated 5th December 2016 which sought orders compelling the respondents to vacate the suit property. This application was fully heard and a ruling dismissing it was delivered on 18th October 2017. Instead of setting down this suit for hearing, the applicant has again brought another application which seeks eviction of the respondents through police assistance. These are some of the applications which delay the conclusion of matters. I find no merit in this application which is hereby dismissed with no orders as to costs.
It is so ordered.
Dated, Signed and delivered at Nairobi on this 14thday of February 2019.
E.O.OBAGA
JUDGE
In the presence of;-
Mr Mburu for Plaintiff/Applicant
Court Assistant: Hilda
E.O.OBAGA
JUDGE