Rose Cherop Boit v Peter Wangila Wambulwa [2014] KEHC 2578 (KLR)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT BUNGOMA

CIVIL CASE NO. 77 OF 2011 [O.S]

ROSE CHEROP BOIT …................................................. PLAINTIFF

VERSUS

PETER WANGILA WAMBULWA …................................ DEFENDANT

JUDGMENT

1.       The Plaintiff ROSECHEROP BOITcommenced her suit by an  originating summon dated 8th August 2011 and filed in court on  9th August 2011. In the originating summons, she has asked    the   court to determine;

(a).     Whether the Applicant has been in open continuous   enjoyment     and use of land parcel No. E. Bukusu/E/    Sangalo/1068 for a period of over 12 years.

(b).     Whether the Defendant's title has been extinguished by way of operation of law.

(c).   Whether the Defendant should now transfer the said parcel    of land to the Plaintiff.

(d).      In default of the Defendant voluntary transferring the land  to the Applicant whether the court should compel him to so  transfer or authorize the Deputy Registrar to sign the documents on his behalf.

(e). Whether the Applicant has acquired title to land parcel No. E. Bukusu/E. Sangalo/1068 by way of adverse possession.

2.    The suit is not opposed as the Defendant though duly served did   not enter appearance or file a replying affidavit.  From the   record, an affidavit of service sworn by Timothy Samburuma filed   in court on 6. 10. 2011 depones that the Defendant was served on 26th September  2011. Interlocutory judgment was endorsed for  the Plaintiff by the Deputy Registrar on 30th November 2011.

3. The matter proceeded to formal proof on 8th July 2013.  The Plaintiff testified and said that she is the administrator of the estate of her late husband FRANCIS BOIT – deceased.  She    had obtained a grant which she produced as Pex. 1.  She continued  that her husband had bought two parcels of land numbers L.R. E. Bukusu/E. Sangalo/985 and 1085.  The Plaintiff produced the sale agreement in respect of the two plots as Pex. 2.

4.   The Plaintiff told the court that they took possession of the suit  parcel mmediately.  She also utilizes the land and she has sugar cane on it.  That she has been on the land for 42 years.  She produced an application for consent of the land control board to  transfer the suitland to her husband as Pex. 3.  She asked the court to enable  her get a title deed for the plot.  She also  produced a search  and certified copy of       the register.  She    closed her case.

5.   The Plaintiff's Counsel has not offered any submissions.  I will therefore consider the pleadings and the evidence in reaching my  decision. In the origination summons, the Plaintiff pleaded whether the Defendant's title had been extinguished by operation of law and  therefore the Defendant ought to transfer to her L.R. E. Bukusu/E. Sangalo/1068.

6. The Plaintiff's evidence is that they took possession of the suit  parcel immediately on purchase of the land.  In the documents produced as exhibit P2, comprises several pieces of agreement  drawn on diverse dates.      The first agreement was drawn on 22. 10. 1972 over L.R. E. Sangalo/985.  The next piece of     agreement that  mentions the suit parcel  is undated. On the body of it, it is indicated that the Defendant received  Kshs. 600/= on 21. 5.1983, leaving  a balance  of Kshs. 4,400/=.  The further documents show this balance was paid in    installments over a period of time. As at 13th July 1986 Kshs.    1,100/= was paid leaving a balance of     Kshs. 200/= that was to be paid at the lands office (ofisi ya mashamba).  It is not clear whether that balance was ever paid or      not.

7.  In the undated document referred to in paragraph 6 above, the total acreage indicated that was being  sold was a total of 8. 4 acres comprised in L.R. No. 985 – 4. 2 acres and L.R. No. 1068 –    4. 2 acres.  In the official certificate of search and green card provided, the total acreage given for L.R. No. 1068 is 4. 2 acres.  It   can be inferred therefore from the documents produced that the   whole parcel of land was sold to Francis Boit – deceased by the defendant.

8. The Plaintiff's statement that she lives with her family on this land   is not challenged. Neither is her evidence that she has utilized the   land and has sugar cane on it contradicted. In the absence of contrary evidence, I am satisfied that the Plaintiff is in possession of the suitland. Her possession has dispossessed the Defendant of user and occupation of the land for the purpose of which he may have intended to use it.  See Wambugu Vs. Njuguna [1983] KLR   172.

9.  Consequently, I find for the Plaintiff that she has proved her case     on a balance of probability and allow her suit by making the   following       orders;

i).  The Defendant’s title to L.R.  E. Bukusu/E. Sangalo/1068 be and is hereby declared extinguished by operation of the law.

ii). The Defendant is directed to  execute all necessary  documents transferring the land parcel E. Bukusu/E. Sangalo/1068 to the Plaintiff forthwith and in default, the Deputy Registrar of the court to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the defendant    to vest/transfer the suitland E. Bukusu/E. Sangalo/1068 to the    Plaintiff.

iii).      No costs of the suit is  awarded since the suit  is                                                undefended.

These are the orders of the court.

DATED, SIGNED and DELIVERED this 13th of day of May 2014

A. OMOLLO

JUDGE.