In re Estate of Harry Clapham Stephens (Deceased) [2022] KEHC 2389 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA

AT MOMBASA

SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 79 OF 1958

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HARRY CLAPHAM STEPHENS (DECEASED)

ELIZABETH STEPHENS KITAO.........................................................APPLICANTS

VERUS

JAMES KITAO.......................................................................................RESPONDENT

RULING

1.   The deceased herein died intestate on 14th January, 1958. A grant of letters of administration was issued to Elizabeth Stephens Kitao and James Kitao on 28th April, 1990 and confirmed on 30th April, 1992.

2.   Unfortunately, the estate has not been fully administered to date. Due to the age of the file, the original file could not be traced.  Consequently, a skeleton file was constructed although some pleadings or documents could not be availed inter alia schedule of distribution of the estate upon confirmation.

3.   Consequently, Elizabeth Stephens  Kitao one of the  administrators moved this court  vide an application  dated 28th June, 2021  seeking  orders that;

a.   That  the Deputy Registrar  of the  court be authorized to sign the  relevant applications  and all necessary transfer ( transmission ) form   in place of the  administrator one  James  Kitao who has refused to sign to effect transfer to  person entitled in  intesting on  subdivision  Number 19731 (Original  No. 113/2) of Section  Mainland  North containing  nought Decimal one  nought six nought ( 0. 1006) of a hectare situated  in the county of Mombasa as shown in the  deed plan Number 362320

b.   In the alternative the Respondent  be ordered to sign all necessary transfer  (transmission) forms to effect transfer to persons entitled in intesting on subdivision of  Number 19731  (Original  No. 13/2) of section 1 Mainland  North containing nought decimal one  nought six nought (0. 1060) of a hectare situated in the  count of Mombasa a shown in the deed plan number 362320.

c.   That  pending  hearing and determination of his application, an order be issued restraining the respondent  from trespassing, intermeddling  or dealing in any way with  the property namely subdivision number 19731  ( Original  No. 113/2) of  section 1 Mainland  North containing nought decimal one nought six nought ( 0. 1060) of a hectare situated  in the county of Mombasa as shown in the  deed plan number 362320.

d.   Any other relief that will meet the end of justice.

e.   Cost of this application  be paid by the  respondent

4.   The   application is based on  grounds  on the  face of it and  averments  contained in the affidavit in support  sworn by  Elizabeth Stephens  co - administrator  on  28th  June, 2021. It  is the  applicant’s  contention that  the  administrators have  largely  distributed  much of the  estate  save for  sub- division of No.19731 ( original No 113/2 of Section 1 /Mainland)  measuring  0. 1060 of an hectare  whose transfer  documents  the  respondent  has refused to  surrender to facilitate transfer to  the  rightful  beneficiaries.

5. Despite service of the application herein, the respondent did not bother to file any response. However, failure to file a response does not mean that the   application succeeds. See Gideon Sitelu Konchela Vs Julius Lekakeny Ole Sunkuli and 2 others (2018) e KLR.

6.   It is a bit that a succession case filed in 1958 can still find itself in the corridors of justice. I have no words to  express  my disappointment save to  add that  the   administrator  must  complete  distribution of the estate as soon as  possible  in default  any uncooperative  administrator  shall be  stripped  off the trusteeship powers of administration.

7.   Having considered the application herein, affidavit in support and the attached documents and further considering the fact that the application is not opposed, I am inclined to find that the same is meritorious  and therefore  do allow  prayer  two of the application  as prayed. We do not need to bother the Deputy Registrar to sign those documents as it is the duty of the administrators to execute it and  where reluctant, fresh administrator/s will be  appointed to  complete  the process.

8.   Accordingly, the application is allowed in terms of prayer two. The   applicant to execute necessary documents within 30 days. Mention on 11th March, 2022 to confirm compliance and further   directions.

DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AT MOMBASA THIS 15TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022

J. N. ONYIEGO

JUDGE