James Ogutu Obiero v Jared Ambrose Odhiambo [2016] KEELC 772 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT KISUMU

ELC   CASE NO.342  OF 2015

JAMES OGUTU OBIERO..............................................................................................................PLAINTIFF

VERSUS

JARED AMBROSE ODHIAMBO............................................................................................. DEFENDANT

RULING

James Ogutu Obiero, the Applicant, through notice of motion dated 10th  December 2015, prays for temporary injunction against Jared Abrose Odhiambo, the Respondent, restraining him from, interfering with hispeaceful possession and enjoyment of land parcel Uholo/Sigomre/2149    pending the hearing and determination of this suit.  The Applicant set out   five grounds on the notice of motion which is also supported by his  affidavit    sworn on 10th December 2015.

The Respondent opposed the notice of motion through the replying affidavit sworn on 22nd February 2016.

The Applicant replied to the Respondent's replying affidavit through the   supplementary affidavit sworn on 15th April 2016.

The counsel for the parties filed written submissions on the notice of motion.

The Applicant's counsel's written submission dated 4th May 2016 was filed on 5th May 2016 while that of the  Respondent's counsel dated 13th May   2016 was filed on the same date.

The issues for determination by the court are as follows:

a)     Whether the Applicant has established a prima facie case with a possibility of success.

b)  Whether the temporary injunction orders should issue

c)    Who pays the costs.

The court has carefully considered the grounds on the notice of motion,the affidavit evidence, the rival written submissions and concluded as   follows:

a) That from the copy of the title deed for parcel Uholo/Sigomre/2149 it is clear that parcel was a subdivision from parcel498.

b)  That further the copy of the register provided by the Respondent for parcel Uholo/Sigmore/498 it is apparent that the land was first registered on 21st February 1972 in the names of Tera Rabongo who is said to have  died on 3rd November 2000 as confirmed in the  certificate of death    No.0276125 marked  JAO-1 attached to the replying affidavit.

c)  That though the applicant does not disclose how he acquired the title to  land  parcel Uholo/Sigomre/2149,the Respondent's explanation, which   is unrebutted, is that the Applicant unprocedurally first  had both their   names entered into the register of the parcel498 and thereafter had   it subdivided into2149 and 2150. That he subsequently, had himself  registered with the former on 27th November 2012.

d)  That the Respondent's explanation that the unprocedural subdivision of  Uholo/Sigomre/498 into parcel 2149 and 2150 was later cancelled by the Land Registrar has not been rebutted by the Applicant and this leaves the  court with doubt as to the legality of the Applicant's title to   Uholo/Sigomre/2149.

e)  That while it is the law that a legally registered owner of a suit land who   is   also in possession should be protected by the court from those   infringing on his/her right to property as set out under Sections 24 and 25of the Land Registration Act No.3 of 2012, until and unless such title is    impuged in accordance with Sections 26 of the said Act, the title to the  suit land claimed by the Applicant herein is under serious challenge by the Respondent.

f)    That the Applicant has in response to the Respondent's disclosure that  title forparcel 2149 was cancelled alleged fraud on the part of the  Respondent.  That the court will only be in a position to pronounce itself on the legality or otherwise of the Applicant's title to Uholo/Sigomre/2149  after hearing the parties and their witnesses as the affidavit  evidence so     far presented  is  conflicted.

g)   That the Applicant had based his case, at this interlocutory stage, on the fact he was the registered proprietor of land parcel Uholo/Sigomre 2149,whose existence now appear doubtful in view of the copy of the register   for parcel 498 provided by the Respondent in his replying affidavit.

That the Applicant has on the material facts so far availed failed to   establish a  prima facie case with a possibility of success.  He has also  not shown that he will likely suffer irreparable loss if injunction orders are not issued.  The balance of convenience dictates against issuance of    restraining orders as it    is more convenient to wait for the outcome of the   main suit after hearing evidence on merit.

That having found as above, the notice of motion dated 10th December  2015 is without merit and is dismissed with costs.  The interim orders of  15th December 2015 are hereby vacated.

S.M. KIBUNJA

ENVIRONMENT & LAND – JUDGE

DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 29TH DAY OF  JUNE 2016

In presence of;

Applicant      Absent

Respondent    Present

Counsel          Mr. Baganda for Kowino for Defendant/Respondent.

S.M. KIBUNJA

ENVIRONMENT & LAND – JUDGE

29/6/2016

29/6/2016

S.M. Kibunja J.

Oyugi court assistant

Mr Oriero for Applicant

Mr Raganda for Kowino for Respondent

Court:  The ruling  delivered and dated in open court in presence of defendant/respondent, M. Oriero for plaintiff and M. Baganda for Kowino for Defendant respectively.

S.M. KIBUNJA

ENVIRONMENT & LAND – JUDGE

29/6/2016