Washingtone Ijakaa Ino v Peter Kitui Ino [2015] KEHC 2290 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT BUSIA

SUCCESSION CAUSE NO. 89 OF 2006

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NICHOLAU INO----DECEASED

AND

WASHINGTONE IJAKAA INO------------------------- PETITIONER

VERSUS

PETER KITUI INO------------------------------------- OBJECTOR

RULING

Nicholas Ino (The Deceased) died on 22nd February 1971 having created a polygamous family. There now has arisen a contest on the Distribution of his estate pitting some members of his family.

The Petition to the grant of Letters of Administration to the estate of the Deceased was presented by Washingtone Ijakaa Ino (Washingtone),  He is a son to the Deceased. In Summons for confirmation dated 22nd February 2008, Washingtone proposed that North Teso/Kolanya/27 be distributed as follows:-

Washingtone Ijakaa Ino       - 5 acres

Wilberforce James                   - 5 acres

Jonathan Ino                               - 2. 5 acres

Silas Olaibon Okwakau         - 2. 5 acres

Peter Ino                                       - 5 acres

Washington Ijakaa to hold in trust for the Minors until they attain 18 years.

That Distribution was not agreed to by Peter Kitui Ino (Peter) who infact sought the revocation and/or annulment of the Grant made to Washingtone.  That application was made through a Summons dated 12th March 2013.  Directions were given by this court on 1st October 2013 asking both sides of the divide to suggest their mode of Distribution within 14 days thereof.  Thereafter the Court was to decide on Distribution.  Evidence on Distribution was taken parole and this decision is the Court’s determination on Distribution.

Peter Kitui Ino is a son to the Deceased. It was is evidence that the Deceased had four (4) wives namely:-

Joyce Karikonyi

Jane Achudi

Janta Atyang

Elizabeth Akwede

That prior to his death the Deceased assembled members of his entire family and demarcated out North Teso/Kolanya/27 to each of his wives.  In his affidavit evidence of 23rd October 2013 in which he partly relied in his oral evidence, Jane Achudi was given plot North Teso/Kolanya/68 (Parcel 68).

Peter told court that Joyce, Elizabeth and Jantar are dead and it is his wish that while parcel North Teso/Kolanya/68 should remain with the family of Jane, North Teso/Kolanya/27  should be distributed as follows:-

Family of Joyce                    - 8 acres

Family of Elizabeth               – 6 acres

Family of Janta                    - 6 acres

Jane Achudi Inyo (Jane) is the only surviving wife to the Deceased.  She gave evidence in support of Peter. According to her, her husband divided his land amongst the family prior to his death.  And that although he divided the land according to houses he gave at least 2 of his sons (namely Peter and Titus) some land directly. She supported the evidence of Titus that although he is not her son,  he resides on the same parcel of land as her, namely parcel 68.

Peter’s two other witnesses were Bonface Karani Omachar (Bonface) and Duncan Ochilangor Okumu (Duncan). Bonface is the cousin of the Deceased.  His evidence was that he was present in 1969 when the Deceased divided his property to his wives.  On his part Duncan was the Secretary to a meeting of the family of the Deceased that was held on 2nd August 2002.  He produced the minutes to that meeting (Exhibit 1).  It was his evidence that the meeting resolved that the manner in which the Deceased had settled his family be respected.

Washingtone does not agree with Peter’s view on Distribution. It was his evidence that at the time the Deceased died he had not distributed his land to members of his family.   His suggestion was that parcel No. 27 be divided equally  between  :-

Peter Kitui Ino

Peter Okwakau Ino

Wilberforce Ino

He denied being present in the meeting of 2nd April 2002.

It is common ground that the Deceased having died on 28th February 1971, Distribution of his Estate is subject to Teso Customs  (Sec. 2(2) The  Law of Succession Act).  Stephen Charles Emacar (PW6) was called to shed some light on the custom. At the time of testifying he was 79 years old and the Chairman of the Teso Community Council of Elders, Kenya. He is a literate man having gone to school upto the then “A” Level.  The highlight of his evidence is that:

A Father has the mandate of Distribution and demarcating his parcel to family members as he liked.

The father’s distribution must be maintained and honoured even after his death.

Where the deceased had not distributed his land, the children can agree on mode of Distribution and in the event of a dispute, the clan resolves it.

The single issue I see for my determination is whether the Deceased had prior to his death Divided His estate to his children.  The Petitioner and the Objector have taken opposing positions on this.  Yet the submissions filed by Counsels for the rivals seem to resolve this all important question.  The evidence of PW5 who took the minutes of the Deceased’s family meeting of 2nd August 2002 was that it was for purposes of simply formalizing  the Deceased wishes on Distribution.  Counsel for Peter then submits,

“As regards distribution of  the estate of the Deceased, it is our very humble submission that this is a case that requires the surveyor to proceed to the parcels of land left behind by the Deceased and pick up the established boundaries for each house and for distribution to be done in accordance with the ground position at a later date.”

Curiously the Petitioners Counsel in his written submission of 10th March 2015 submitted-

“We.. urge the court… to grant in favour of the meeting of the January 2002.  We urge the court to find as per the exhibit produced by the Objector and the Evidence of his witnesses.”

Although I am unable to find  any evidence of a meeting of  January 2002, the only exhibit produced herein the minutes of the meeting dated 2nd August 2002.  From the attendance Mr. Washingtone (Petitioners) is said to be present.  Although he denied attending this meeting, he now asks  the court to find in accordance with the minutes thereof.

Minutes 3/08/03 of the meeting in communication from the chair.    This is what the Chairman, in part, stated-

The Chairman Mr. Zakayo told members the following:-

The sub division of the late fathers two parcels of land was overdue.

He called them purposely to have the parcel of land sub-divided among them.

Land Parcel North Teso/Kolanya/27 would be shared among the following:-

Peter Ino

Washingtone Ijakaa

Wildard Otwane

Jonathan Okwakau on behalf of his late father Joash Okwakau Ino.

Land Parcel North Teso/Kolanya/68 would be sub divided among the following persons.

Zakayo Okumu

Titus Ino

Fred Ipapo

Kirade Ino

George Etyang

Finally he told members that he was going to accomplish the work which had been done partially by the late father Nicolus Ino.

Mzee Nicolus Ino died in 1971 he had subdivided the land among his four wives and also he had instructed the late Joash Okwakau to put a home in parcel North Teso/Kolanya/27. The four wives were-

Joyce Karikonyi Ino

Jane Achudi

Janet Atyang

Elizabeth Akwede

He cautioned members against incitement from within and without the family circles.

After Chairman’s address, he proceeded to draw boundaries as follows on parcel No. 27.

Between Peter Okwakau and Peter Ino

Between Peter Ino and Washingtone Ijakaa and the brother Wildard Otwane Ino.

On land parcel No. Kolanya N. Teso/68 boundaries were drawn as follows:-

Kirade Ino verses Fred Ipapo

Fred Ino verses Zakayo Okumu

Titus Ino verses George Etyang

Each house was represented among the four wives of the late Nicolus Ino.    Soon after the exercise the Chairman call all the members together and asked for their reactions. (my emphasis)

There is nothing in the minutes that suggest that members present disagreed with what the Chairman stated.  This court therefore finds that during his lifetime, The Deceased indeed divided his land amongst his wives.

Attached to those minutes are sketch plans of parcel 27 showing the position of each beneficiary on the ground.  At the end of the meeting it was resolved that boundaries drawn be respected  The court finds great assistance from these minutes and order that North Teso/Kolanya/27 and North Teso/Kolanya/68 be distributed according to the sketch plans produced together with the minutes of the meeting  of 2nd August 2002.  In the event of a dispute as to the exact acreage the parties are at liberty to apply.

No orders on costs.

As explained to the Parties, this Decision could only be delivered on Notice to them as I was proceeding for my Annual Leave and thereafter for August vacation.  That explains the apparent delay.

Dated, signed and delivered at Busia this 1st day of October 2015

F.TUIYOTT

J U D G E

In the presence of:-

Oile………………………C/Clerk

N/A……………………… for Petitioner

Bokongo……………… for Objector