Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (K.A.R.I) v Farah Ali, Chairman Isahaki Self Help Group & Commissioner of Lands [2016] KEELC 1077 (KLR)

REPUBLIC  OF  KENYA

IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT OF  KENYA

AT NAKURU

HCC 23    OF   2011

KENYA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH  INSTITUTE

(K.A.R.I)……………..…….................................................……..….PLAINTIFF

VERSUS

FARAH  ALI, CHAIRMAN  ISAHAKI   SELF  HELP  GROUP(Sued  on  his

own   behalf and on  behalf   of the members  of the group...1st DEFENDANT

COMMISSIONER OF LANDS…................................………2ND DEFENDANT

RULING

1. This matter is listed today for hearing of the main suit.  The date was taken by consent on 4th November 2015. Today, Mr Anyona for the plaintiff has sought   adjournment basically on two grounds.

2. The first  is that they  have  preferred  an  appeal  against  my  ruling   of  5th  November  2015.  The second   is that they wish for more time to file additional   statements and/or documents.

3. On the first reason, it is trite law that an appeal does not operate as a stay. The mere fact that there is an appeal is not enough to stay these proceedings.

4. On the second reason, I gave time to the plaintiff, which I consider to be enough to put its house in order.  In fact I have literally bent over backwards in accommodating the plaintiff’s request for time to file additional documents and the record will bear me witness.

5. Counsels  for  the  defendants  have  sacrificed   a  lot  to be in  court and the  matter  is  certainly of  great   public  importance.  I have stated in earlier rulings that this is a suit   that should be disposed of expeditiously.

6. On the above reasons, I see no merit in the application for adjournment and it is disallowed. The best accommodation  I can  give  to the   plaintiff (  instead  of   dismissing  its  suit)  is to  allow  the  defendant who  has   a counterclaim, to   present   their  case first. The matter to proceed on that basis.

7. On  perusal  of the record,  I   note  that there was an  oral application  for  leave to  appeal which was  made on  5th  November  2015. Probably due to an oversight, I may have overlooked recording that leave was granted. For  the  avoidance  of doubt,  leave  to appeal  my  ruling  of  5th  November  2015 is given  and he same be deemed  as having  been   given  on the same day,  i.e.  5th November 2015.

8. I apologise for the oversight.

Dated, signed and delivered in open court at Nakuru this 1st day of February, 2016.

MUNYAO SILA

JUDGE

ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT

AT NAKURU

In presence of:

Mr Anyona present holding brief for Mr Kanjama for   plaintiff.

Mr  Athuok  present for 1st  defendant

Mr  Nguyo  present for 2nd  defendant

CA:  Janet

MUNYAO SILA

JUDGE

ENVIRONMENT & LAND COURT

AT NAKURU