In re Estate of Ann Gichuku Rimunyo (Deceased) [2015] KEHC 450 (KLR)

REPUBLIC  OF  KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT EMBU

PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION CASE NO. 816  OF  2002

IN THE ESTATE OF  ANN GICHUKU RIMUNYO...........................DECEASED

AND

NAZARIO KATHURI RIMUNYO...........................................ADMINISTRATOR

____________________________________________________________________

R U L I N G

This is an application brought under certificate of urgency on chamber summons dated 4/2/15 seeking orders:

Firstly that it be certified urgent and be heard ex parte,

Secondly that the Officer Commanding Manyatta Police Station to provide security to the surveyor to effect the certificate of confirmation of Grant by this court dated 15/7/2014,

thirdly that  Executive Officer of this court to execute all the transfer documents,

Fourth, that the Land Registrar Embu to effect this order.

The application is supported by affidavit of Daniel Njage Nyaga.  In his affidavit the Applicant has stated that they filed succession in respect of the Estate of the deceased in 2002.  A confirmed grant was issued on 10/7/14 in respect Land  parcel Nos. GATURI/NEMBURE/1760 and GATURI/NEMBURE/4759, which indicates the shares of land for  each beneficiary.

The applicant has  stated that when  the surveyor visited  the parcels of land to sub-divide it in terms of the  confirmed grant, the surveyor was  unable to do so, because the Respondents were hostile.  As a result they denied the surveyor accessibility to the two parcels of land.  It is thi denial that provoked this application.

In response to the application the 1st Respondent has opposed the application through  a replying affidavit dated 9/3/15.  According to him the applicant's affidavit is  a forgery.  The reasons being that he did not attend the Land Control Board that gave consent and that he  did not sign the land board documents.

Furthermore, he states that his identity  card and photographs were not attached to the application.  He states that Kellen Wambogo Rimunya is not a beneficiary of GATURI/NEMBURE/4760 and should not  consent on his behalf.  He also states that  he reported the  forgery to Manyatta Police Station, wherein  it is registered as OB No. 115/25/2/2015.

The Respondent had in a summon stated that there was a land sale  between him and the 2nd Respondent which he states was not completed, because the applicant did not fully pay the agreed purchase price.  He also added that the contract is not executable because the Respondents treated the whole contract as repudiated and that it is  not time barred since it is over 10 years ago.

Finally, the Respondent has denied  being  hostile  and preventing the surveyor from sub-dividing the land.  He also says that the applicant has breached the terms of the  contract and  sub-division cannot take place.

In his further affidavit the applicant has denied forging the consent of the land control board, because the same was signed  on the Deputy Registrar by virtue of a court order of 20/22/2014.  This was done after the hearing of an application that was determined in the presence of all the parties including the Respondents.  He  has stated further that Kellan Wamboigo Rimyunyo is a beneficiary and co-administrator of the estate.

In his further replying affidavit the 1st Respondent has  repeated that the applicant forged the consent  of the land control board.  He also  has stated that Kellen Wambogo as a co-administrator should have consulted him before signing the application for consent.

Furthermore, 1st Respondent has stated that the court did not explain to him the nature of the application dated 20/2/2014 as he is an illiterate and  unrepresented  amongst other matters.

Evaluation and findings:

I have evaluated  the affidavit evidence of the parties and the …. submissions of both counsel.

It is clear that the application  before the court is to execute  this court's order of the certificate of confirmation of Grant issued  on 15/7/2014.

I find from the affidavit evidence that there is no order stating the execution of the order issued pursuant to the certificate of  confirmation of Grant .

The equivalent of a judgment  in an ordinary civil suit.

However, the  1st Respondent has  opposed this application for execution on the ground that the 2nd Respondent  forged the consent of the Land Control Board and that the land purchase agreement with the applicant had been terminated and/or was time barred.

The answer to the opposition of the 1st Respondent is that the court directed the Deputy Registrar to sign all relevant documents to effect transfer of the various portions to the beneficiaries.  As a result a rectified certificate of Confirmation of Grant was issued on 10/7/2014.

As a result of the rectified grant the co-administrator Wambugu Rimunya applied and obtained consent from Manyatta Land Control Board, which was granted on 29/8/2014.

In the circumstances there is no forgery of the consent of the consent of the Land Control Board.

Furthermore, none of the Respondents  have protested against the |confirmed grant and/or re-confirmed grant.

I believe the affidavit evidence of the applicant that the 1st Respondent   was hostile to  the surveyor and Land Registrar  when they want the  parcels of land in issue to surve and sub-divide.

I find that it is the dut6y of the police to keep law and order in society.  In the circumstances I find  that the applicant  has made out a case for the  grant of the orders prayed in hearing chamber summons dated 4/2/20156.

In the light of the foregoing the  officer in charge of Manyatta Police Station  is to provide the surveyor with security  to effect the certificate of confirmation of Grant in terms of prayer (2) of the chamber summons.

Additionally, the Deputy Registrar directed to execute all the transfer documents and the land Registrar is also directed to give effect to the order in terms of prayers 3 and 4 of the chamber summons.

There will be no order as to costs as the parties are family members.

J.M. BWONWONGA

JUDGE

24/11/15

ORDER:

Ruling  delivered in open court in the presence of the parties and Mr. Kahuthu holding brief for  both counsel.

J.M. BWONWONGA

JUDGE

24/11/15