In re Estate of Lotungwa Arap Sang (Deceased) [2016] KEHC 474 (KLR)
Full Case Text
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REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KITALE
SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 72 OF 2006
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LOTUNGWA ARAP SANG (DECEASED)
CHRISTOPHER KIPKORIR LOTUNGWA...........PETITIONER
VERSUS
ALBERT KIMELI..................................................1ST OBJECTOR
MARY JEPKOECH KIPLAGAT........................2ND OBJECTOR
JOHN KIPCHUMBA KIPLAGAT......................3RD OBJECTOR
AND
MOSES KIMAIYO..............................1ST INTERESTED PARTY
LETEMA KIPSANG...........................2RD INTERESTED PARTY
KIMAGUT KIPSANG.......................3RDINTERESTED PARTY
DIRECTIONS
The court hasperused the entire proceedings herein, Earlier, the court was of the view that the issuesof distribution of the deceased estate was purely between the objectors and the applicants but upon perusing the proceedings it has emerged that there is the question of whether the interested parties have a share in the suit property astheir protest seemed to suggest. This was an issue which was not raised or determined earlier own when the objection proceedings were taken not and the ruling nullifying the grant delivered.
Were the court to proceed with thedistribution of the estate then the objectors whose protest is already on record will suffer prejudice. For whatever reasons and although the objectors want them to be excluded as they didnot participate in the objections proceedings, thiscourt cannot wish then away.
They cannot be sent away from the mercy seat. They have to be heard.
Succession proceedings and for that matter our constitution under Article 159 provides that their rights ought to be determined either way. The fundamental question is whether the deceased was holding the suit property in trust fro them or othrwise.
Needless to say all the parties shall still have the chance and opportunity to have their issues ventilated.It is however regretted that these proceedings have taken such along time.
Consequently the ruling on distribution is differed . The matter of distribution shouldbe heard by way of Viva voce evidence on priority basis.
Orders accordingly.
Deliveredthis 5th day of December 2016.
__________________
H.K. CHEMITEI
JUDGE
In the presence of;
Gacathi for Marube for interested parties
Khisa for Kiarie for objectors.
Kirong – Court Assistant