Kenneth Nyakundi Makori v Ruth Wangari Mwangi, Attorney General & District Land Registrar Ruiru [2021] KEELC 3388 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT THIKA

ELC CASE NO. 162 OF 2019 (OS)

KENNETH NYAKUNDI MAKORI.....................................................PLAINTIFF

VERSUS

RUTH WANGARI MWANGI.....................................................1ST DEFENDANT

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL....................................................2ND DEFENDANT

DISTRICT LAND REGISTRAR RUIRU..................................3RD DEFENDANT

JUDGMENT

Vide an Originating Summon filed on5th November 2019,the Plaintiff  brought this suit against the Defendants seeking for the following orders;

a) An order that the Plaintiff/Applicant is entitled to a portion of the title possession, occupation and transfer of portion measuring approximately 0. 06689 HAof a property known as RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2NOW SUBDIVIDED UNDER TITLE NO.S 30912, 30913, 30914, 30915, 30916, 30917, 30918, 30919 (herein referred to as suit parcel) on account of having enjoyed continuous uninterrupted possession thereof for over 14 years.

b) A Declaration that a portion measuring approximately 0. 06689 HA of the suit parcel currently registered in the names of RUTH WANGARI MWANGI, is being held in trust for the said Plaintiff/applicant, KENNETH NYAKUNDI MAKORI.

c) The Land Registrar Ruiru be compelled to cancel the resultant subdivision of titles number 30912, 30913, 30914, 30915, 30916, 30917, 30918, 30919 so that suit reverts to its former number RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2/4118and rectify the register to reflect the land belonged to RUTH WANGARI MWANGI and proceed to register the plaintiff as owner of the portion measuring approximately 0. 06689 HA of the suit parcel.

d) An order that property RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2/4118 now subdivided under titles No.s 30912, 30913, 30914, 30915, 30916, 30917, 30918, 30919, be cancelled and transferred to the plaintiff’s name, the plaintiff has acquired title to a portion of the suit parcel by way of adverse possession.

e) An order that the Deputy Registrar of this Honourable Court execute all necessary documents of transfer of a portion of the property in favor of the said KENNETH NYAKUNDI MAKORI in respect of RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2/4118 now subdivided under titles No.s 30912,30913, 30914, 30915, 30916, 30917, 30918, 30919.

f) A permanent injunction be issued restraining the Defendants either by themselves, agents, servants or otherwise howsoever from interfering with the Plaintiff KENNETH NYAKUNDI MAKORI and /or his agents, servants or family members access to quiet possession of accessing, advertising, offering for sale, leasing, mortgaging, charging, transferring or assigning, subdividing and/or otherwise dealing with property known as RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2/4118 now subdivided under titles No.s 30912,30913, 30914, 30915, 30916, 30917, 30918, 30919.

g) An order directing the Land Registrar Ruiru to register a caution in favor of KENNETH NYAKUNDI MAKORI forbidding any registration or disposition of the parcel of land known as RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2/4118 now subdivided under titles No.s 30912,30913, 30914, 30915, 30916, 30917, 30918, 30919 pending determination of this Application.

h) Costs of this summons to be paid by the defendants.

In his Supporting Affidavit, the Plaintiff averred that on or around the year 2004, he began residing on the suit property with his wife and children. That he purchasedparcel No.  4118 Plot Nos. 14, 15 &16 ballot no. 1508 from Matanya-Ndururumo Women Group.That once he began making payments of the purchase price,  the land was subdivided and he was allocated  three  plots of land and after taking possession, he erected a barbed wire fence and began cultivating the land and purchased and  placed building materials thereon.

He stated that while constructing in the property, the representatives of Matanya-Ndururumo Women Group reassured him  that the transfer of the mother title would be effected in their names and thus they made payments to facilitate the transfer. That he has occupied the suit land since 2004, without any interference from anyone up until October 2017,when some people claiming to have purchased the land questioned his stay and others in the suit parcel and his attempts to  trace the representative who had sold him the suit property  to explain the conundrum, his efforts were futile.

He further averred that he reported the matter to Juja Police Station,and the representatives were arrested and charged after failing to provide genuine titles to the suit parcel. He conducted a search and discovered that the suit property was registered in the name of the 1st Defendant. That his advocate has advised him that at the time the 1st Defendant subdivided the parcel of land the title over the said suit parcel had long been extinguished and it was held in trust for him and therefore the demand letter had no legal consequence to his acquired interest over the title.

The Suit is contested and the 1st Defendant filed a Replying Affidavit dated 20th January 2020, and averred that she has been the registered owner of parcel of land known as RUIRU/RUIRU EAST BLOCK 2/4118which she purchased fromNyakinyua Investmentsand was issued with a title deed in the year1988. That she has subdivided the said suit property to buyers who purchased the same from her namely;-

a) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30912 belonging to Martin Gitau Kariuki

b) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30913 belonging to Pharis Macharia

c) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30914 belonging to John Thumbi Muriuki

d) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30915 belonging to Samuel Mugo Mwangi

e) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30916 belonging to Veronica Njeri

f) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30917 belonging to Florence Moraa

g) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30918 belonging to Joseph Kiragu Kamau

h) Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/30919 belonging to Zacharia Mwangi Nyungu

Further that the Plaintiff and others have occupied plots identified for the legitimate purchasers above claiming to have bought the same from a party unknown to her. That it was the Plaintiff’s obligation to undertake due diligence when purchasing the property and his failure to do so and resultant loss should not be visited upon her. That the Plaintiff has taken advantage of her advanced age to occupy the land  and according to the purchasers, the Plaintiff has been a tenant  in various areas in and around  Murera area until he trespassed on to her property. Further that the Plaintiff has fenced off Sections of the  property that do not belong to him  with a view of illegally acquiring the same and should be injuncted from  continued trespass. Further that the Plaintiff has commenced criminal proceedings against the parsons who sold him the land   and the seller being known to him, any damage occasioned may be quantified hence the Plaintiff will suffer no loss.

She contended that the Plaintiff and or their agents have without any authority  trespassed and made developments  on the suit property since her son passed away and she as unable to  visit the property frequently . That the Plaintiff ought to pay for the period he has occupied the land. Illegally.

The Plaintiff Kenneth Nyakundi Makori  swore a further Affidavit  dated 22nd  January 2020,  and averred that the purported buyers ought to have known  that the land they intended  to purchase was not vacant. He reiterated that he was in open, peaceful and continuous occupation and possession of the suit property exceeding 14 years and he took possession when it was vacant. That   it is in the interest of justice to grant the orders sought.

On the 23rd March 2021, the Plaintiff filed his written submissions dated 5th October 2020  through the Law Firm of  Chimei & Company  Advocates. The  2nd & 3rd Defendants filed  their written submissions dated  22nd March 2021 on 23rd March 2021 through Fatma Ali  State Counsel, the 1st Defendant also filed her written submissions dated 21st April 2021, through the Law Firm of  Gichio  & Company Advocates.

The Court has now carefully read and considered the Pleadings by the parties, the Affidavits, the provisions of law and the written submissions and finds that the issue  for determination is whether  the Plaintiff has proved a claim of adverse possession and therefore entitled to the orders sought.

The Plaintiff has  sought for an order  that he is entitled to approximately 0. 06689 haportion of L.R Ruiru/Ruiru East Block  2/4118,  by way of Adverse possession.In deciding whether or not to grant the orders of adverse possession, the Court is guided by Section 7 of the Limitation of Actions Act which provides;-

“An action may not be brought by any person to recover land after the end of twelve years from the date on which the right of action accrued to him or, if it first accrued to some person through whom he claims, to that person.”

Further the Court is guided bySection 38 (1) and (2) Limitation of the Actions Act that provides as follows:

(1)Where a person claims to have become entitled by adverse possession to land registered under any of the Acts cited insection 37of this Act, or land comprised in a lease registered under any of those Acts, he may apply to the High Court for an order that he be registered as the proprietor of the land or lease in place of the person then registered as proprietor of the land.

(2) An order made under subsection (1) of this section shall on registration take effect subject to any entry on the register which has not been extinguished under this Act.

For a party to be declared to have acquired property by virtue of adverse possession, other principles must be met as cited by Justice Sergon in the case of Gerald Muriithi …Vs…Wamugunda Muriuki & Another (2010) eKLR while referring to the case of Wambugu …Vs…Njuguna (1983) KLR page 172 where the Court of Appeal held as follows;

“1. In order to acquire by statute of limitations title to land which has a known owner the owner must have lost his right to the land either by being dispossessed of it or by having continued his possession of it. Dispossession of the proprietor that defeats his title are acts which are inconsistent with his enjoyment of the soil for the purpose for which he intended to use it. The respondent could and did not prove that the appellant had either been dispossessed of the suit land for a continuous period of twelve years as to entitle him, the respondent to title to the land by adverse possession.

2. The limitation of Actions Act, on adverse possession contemplates two concepts: dispossession and discontinuance of possession. The proper way of assessing proof of adverse possession would then be whether or not the title holder has been dispossessed or has discontinued his possession for the statutory period and not the claimant has proved that he has been in possession for the requisite number of years. (Emphasis)”

For the Plaintiff herein to succeed in his claim for Adverse Possession,he must prove his possession, dispossession and discontinuance of possession by the 1st Defendant herein for a continuous period of 12 years.  Thus, the Plaintiff needed to prove that the 1st Defendant was dispossessed of the suit land which literally means that she was out of possession.  See the case of Samuel Nyakenogo vs Samuel Orucho Onyaru Civil Appeal No. 24 of 2004 (2010) eKLR,where the Court held that:-

“The Limitation of Actions Act on Adverse Possession, contemplates two concepts; dispossession and discontinuance.  The proper way of assessing proof of adverse possession will then be whether or not the title owner has been dispossessed or has discontinued his possession for the statutory period and not whether or not the claimant has proved that he had been in possession for the requisite period.”

The 1st Defendant Ruth Wangari Mwangi, is the registered owner of the suit property.  She got registered as such on 26th August 1988, under the Registered Land Act, Cap 300 (now repealed).  As provided by Section 27(1) of the said Cap 300 (now repealed) the registration of the 1st Defendant is deemed to vest to herabsolute ownership of the said land with all rights and priviledges appurtenant thereto.

Further under Section 28(1) of the said Cap 300(repealed) and now replicated in Section 25(1) of the Land Registration Act, such rights cannot be defeated except as provided in the Act.

However, under section 38(1) and (2)of theLimitation of Actions Act,a person can acquire title to someone else land by virtue ofadverse possession after continuously occupying the said land in a way that is inconsistence with the owner’s rights.  Such entry or possession must be non-permissive, openandnotorious, exclusive adverseand with the lapse of the statutory period of 12 years.  See the case of Kimani Ruchine vs Swift Ruthford & co. Ltd (1980), where the Court held that:-

“The plaintiff’s have to proved that they have used this land which they claim as of right; nec vi, nec clam, nec precario……..”

The said possession must be continuous and it must not be broken for any temporary purpose or by any endeavours to interrupt it or by any recurrent considerations.  This was the same position held in the case of Celine Muthoni vs Safiya Binti Swaleh & others ELC No. 248 of 2016, where the Court held also that:-

“It is also a well settled principle that a party claiming Adverse Possession ought to prove that this possession was nec vi, nec clam, nec precario;that’s peaceful, open and continuous.  The possession should not have been through force, not a secrecy and without the authority on permission of the owner”.

The above are the principles that needed to be satisfied before the Court can declare that the Plaintiff has acquired the property by virtue of adverse possession.  This Court will then consider the available evidence, juxtapose it with the above principles and then determine whether the Plaintiff herein has proved his case on the required standard.

The Plaintiff alleged that he bought the suit property from Matanya Ndururumo Women Group in 2004, and upon such purchase, he took possession of the property and has been living on it since then.  He attached photographs of structures thereon which he claimed were his residential houses, and that he has lived thereon with his family since 2004, exclusively and without any interruptions.

However, the 1st Defendant in her Replying Affidavit has averred that she was registered as the owner of the suit property in1988, and that Plaintiff has been renting and living in various other properties in the vicinity of Murera area before settling on the 1st Defendant suit property.  Therefore, the Plaintiff’s occupation and possession of the suit property for a period that is over 12 years has been disputed and challenged by the 1st Defendant.

The Plaintiff is the one ‘who has alleged’ and it was incumbent upon him to call sufficient evidence to  prove his case.  From the Plaintiff’s pleadings, he claims 0. 06689 Ha from the 1st Defendants parcel of land being Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/4118.  Further from the title deed attached to the Plaintiff’s claim, the 1st Defendant parcel of land is approximately 0. 4 ha.The Plaintiff is claiming 0. 06689 Ha.  However, in prayer no (D) of the Originating Summons, the Plaintiff has sought for“an order that the property Ruiru/Ruiru East block 2/4118, now sub-divided into No. 30912 – 30919 be cancelled and transferred to the Plaintiff’s name, the Plaintiff having acquired a portion of the suit property by way of adverse possession.”    In essence the Plaintiff is claiming the whole title, that is registered in the name of the 1st Defendant.

One of the principle that the Plaintiff needed to proof is that he entered into the suit property without permission of the registered owner.  In his claim, he has alleged that he entered the suit property after having purchased the said parcel of land from Matanya Ndururumo Women Group in 2004.

He did not attach any sale agreement to confirm that he indeed purchased the three plots which were part of titleNo. Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/4118, which title is registered in the name of 1st Defendant.  The Plaintiff has attached Certificates of ownership for plots No. 14, 15 and 16, issued by Matanya Ndururumo Women Group.  However, the said Certificates of Ownership do not identify Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/4118,as the mother title.  Infact the Certificates of ownership give plot numbers and which Plots are in Block No. 3.  It is not clear Block three represents which land parcel, and certainly it is not clear that Block 3 is Ruiru/Ruiru East Block 2/4118, the suit property herein.

How then would this Court confirm with certainty that the plots that the Plaintiff alleged purchased in 2004, were plots in Ruiru/Ruiru Block 2/4118?  How would the Court ascertain that the Plaintiff took possession of these plots in2004 and the said plots were indeed portions of the suit property?  The court asks these question because the 1st Defendant has alleged that the Plaintiff was a tenant in various other plots within the vicinity of Murera area, but not on the suit property.  That he only trespassed on the suit property in the recent past, taking advantage of the 1st Defendant advanced age.

From the available evidence herein which evidence was availed through affidavits, it is not clear that the Plaintiff occupied a definiteportion of land from the property registered in the name of the 1st Defendant from the year 2004.  The Plaintiff should at least have called evidence from other persons who could have confirmed that they had indeed witnessed and seen the Plaintiff after taking possession of this suit property from the year 2004,and that he has lived thereon continuously without any interruption and without force or secrecy.

Further the Plaintiff needed to proof that the registered owner of the suit property herein who is the 1st Defendant was dispossessed of the said property, since being in occupation of the suit property from 2004 itself is not proof of dispossession.

It is evident from the Plaintiff’s affidavit that he allegedly entered into the suit property by virtue of purchase of the same from the Matanya Ndururumo Women Groupin2004, and he did not know of the 1st Defendant’s ownership.  When he entered into the suit property, the Plaintiff did not know that it belonged to the 1st Defendant and could certainly not  have dispossessed and discontinued her possession.  Could the Plaintiff have dispossessed  an unknown owner?  See the case of Gabriel Mbui vs Mukundi Maranya (1993) eKLR where the Court held:-

“The rightful owner must know that he is ousted.  He must be aware that he has been dispossessed or he must have parted and intended to part with possession.  Just as the adverse possessor cannot succeed, if he did not know he was in actual possession of another’s land ………”

It is evident from the available evidence that the Plaintiff did not know that the suit property belonged to the 1st Defendant before 2018, when he received a demand letter to vacate from the said property.  Certainly the Plaintiff cannot claim to have dispossessed an owner that he did not know of.  See the case of Gabriel Mbui Mukindia Maranya (1993) eKLR,where the Court held that:-

“Discontinuous consists in the owner giving up, ceasing to use and abandonment of the land; a cessation of occupation.  The fact that nothing is done to improve or work a piece of land is not evidence that a person has abandoned the possession of it or that he has otherwise been eliminated from the land.”

Having carefully considered the available evidence, the Court finds and holds that the Plaintiff herein did not avail sufficient evidence to prove on a balance of probabilities that he indeed dispossessed the 1st Defendant of the suit property.  That he occupied the suit property in 2004 and that the 1st Defendant knew of this dispossession and that the said possession by the Plaintiff had been for a period of over 12 years.  The Plaintiff has further failed to prove how he ascertained that the portion that he occupies is approximately 0. 06689 Ha, as his three Certificates of ownership did not give the acreage of the plots purchased.  It is not clear that the Plaintiff herein is claiming a definite and clear portion of land from the suit property that is owned by the 1st Defendant.

As submitted by the Defendants, the Plaintiff should have pursued the persons who sold non-existent land to him, but not to claim adverse possession from the 1st Defendant’s parcel of land, as there was no clear evidence that the 1st Defendant had been dispossessed of the said parcel of land from the year 2004.

For the above reasons, the Court finds and holds that the Plaintiff has failed to prove his claim as contained in the Originating Summons dated

5th November 2019, and consequently the said Originating Summons is dismissed entirely with costs to the Defendants.

It is so ordered.

Dated, signed and Delivered at Thika this 6th  day of May 2021.

L. GACHERU

JUDGE

6/5/2021

Court Assistant – Phyllis

ORDER

In view of the declaration of measures restricting court operations due to theCOVID-19 Pandemic, and in light of the directions issued by His Lordship, the Chief Justice on 15th March 2020, this Judgment has been delivered to the parties online with their consents. They have waived compliance with Order 21 rule 1 of theCivil Procedure Rules which requires that all judgments and rulings be pronounced in open Court.

With Consent of and virtual appearance via video conference – Microsoft Teams Platform

Mr. Kegode for the Plaintiff

No appearance for the 1st Defendant

No appearance for the 2nd Defendant

No appearance for the 3rd Defendant

L. GACHERU

JUDGE

6/5/2021