[2024] KEELC 3478 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff had, on a balance of probabilities, proved that the defendant fraudulently transferred part of the family land to himself without any succession proceedings or legal basis. The evidence presented by the plaintiff, including official documents and lack of any contrary evidence from...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEELC 3478 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Timothy Woche (Legal Representative Of Naomi Subo Stephen); Defendant: Soka Gache
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Isiolo
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment and Land Case Civil Suit E001 of 2022
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the plaintiff; registration of LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the defendant's name declared null and void; title cancelled and land to revert to the estate of Naomi Subo Stephen Gache; costs awarded to the plaintiff.
- Judges
- PM Njoroge
- Legal Topics
- Fraudulent Land Transfer, Title Cancellation, Succession Without Administration, Land Registration, Family Land Disputes
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Timothy Woche (Legal Representative Of Naomi Subo Stephen)
Plaintiff
Soka Gache
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the registration of LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the name of the defendant was fraudulent and thus null and void.
- 2 Whether the title deed for LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 should be cancelled and the land reverted to the estate of Naomi Subo Stephen Gache.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff had, on a balance of probabilities, proved that the defendant fraudulently transferred part of the family land to himself without any succession proceedings or legal basis. The evidence presented by the plaintiff, including official documents and lack of any contrary evidence from the defendant, established that the registration of LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the defendant's name was tainted with fraud. Consequently, the court declared the registration null and void, ordered cancellation of the title, and directed that the land revert to the estate of the deceased Naomi Subo Stephen Gache. Costs were awarded to the plaintiff as the successful party.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the plaintiff; registration of LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the defendant's name declared null and void; title cancelled and land to revert to the estate of Naomi Subo Stephen Gache; costs awarded to the plaintiff.
Orders
- A declaration is hereby issued that the registration of LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the name of the defendant, Soka Gache, is tainted with fraud and is thus null and void.
- An order is hereby issued to the apposite Land Registrar that the title deed of LR. No. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 be cancelled and the same do revert to the name of the deceased Naomi Subo Stephen Gache.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
Woche v Gache (Environment and Land Case Civil Suit E001 of 2022) [2024] KEELC 3478 (KLR) (29 April 2024) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEELC 3478 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Environment and Land Court at Isiolo
Environment and Land Case Civil Suit E001 of 2022
PM Njoroge, J
April 29, 2024
Between
Timothy Woche (Legal Representative Of Naomi Subo Stephen
Appellant
and
Soka Gache
Defendant
Judgment
1. In his plaint dated 10th January, 2022 the plaintiff prays for Judgment against the defendant for:a.A declaration that the registration of LR.Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the name of the defendant was tainted with fraud and thus null and void.b.A cancellation of title deed No. LR.Marsabit/Jirme/1413 and the same do revert to the deceased Naomi Subo Stephen Gache.
2. I am satisfied that despite being served several times, the defendant refused and /or failed to participate in these proceedings. Hence the decision of this court to allow formal proof proceedings take place.
3. On 26/2/2024, the plaintiff told the court that his family had 12 siblings and that he was the eldest son. He asked the court to rely on his witness statement dated 10th January, 2022 and to also rely on his documents as listed in his list of documents dated 10th January, 2022. He produced the documents as;i.Death Certificate of Naomi Subo Stephen Gache.ii.Letters of Administration for the estate of Naomi Gache.iii.Search Certificate for LR. No. Marsabit/Jirme/525. iv.Search Certificate for LR. No. Marsabit/Jirme/1413. v.Green Card for Original Marsabit/Jirme/525. vi.Proceedings in RMCC NO. 2/2019. vii.Order Isiolo Misc. Application No. 001/2021 [E015/2021 Meru]viii.Letter dated 21/8/2008. ix.Letter dated 10/6/2016. x.Letter dated 17/8/2016.
4. A conspectus of his witness statement is that he is the eldest of 12 siblings, namely;a.Timothy Woche (himself)b.Dida Gachec.Samson Gached.Annah Guye Genee.Killa Gachef.Rebecca Yedo Gacheg.John Aila Gacheh.Sarah Jamai.Martha Yalej.Andrew Gachek.Soka GacheThe plaintiff says without the existence of any succession proceedings, the defendant has fraudulently hived of 7. 84 Hectares of the Original 38. 16 Hectares of LR. No. Marsabit/Jirme 525 and had a title issued to himself as LR. Marsabit Jirme/1413. It is because of the fraudulent transfer of part of family land to the defendant that he had filed this suit seeking the orders prayed for in the plaint.
5. The plaintiff prays that he be awarded costs for this suit.
6. I have carefully considered the evidence proffered by the plaintiff in this suit. The defendant despite service several times, has failed and/or refused to defend this suit or to respond in any manner. I do find that, on a balance of probabilities, the plaintiff has to the satisfaction of this court proved his case against the defendant.
7. Consequently, I enter judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant in the following terms;a.A declaration is hereby issued that the registration of LR. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 in the name of the defendant, Soka Gache is tainted with fraud and is thus null and void.b.An order is hereby issued to the apposite Land Registrar that the title deed of LR.No. Marsabit/Jirme/1413 be cancelled and the same do revert to the name of the deceased Naomi Subo Stephen Gache.c.Costs shall follow the event and are awarded to the plaintiff.
DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT AT ISIOLO THIS 29TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024 IN THE PRESENCE OF:Court assistant: Balozi/RahmaMiss Nyasani h/b Ondari for the plaintiff.HON. JUSTICE P.M NJOROGEJUDGE