REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE ENVIRONEMENT AND LAND COURT AT MAKUENI

ELC MISC. 37 OF 2017

MUTUNGA KIINDU                                                                                     

MUTINDA MUIA …………….. PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT                     

VERSUS

JOSEPH MBOTI NDUNGI                                                                           

JUSTUS MUNYAO MUTUA …………. DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT

RULING

1) The applicant has by his notice of motion application dated 12/10/2017 and filed in court on 13/10/2017 sought to have the decree of the court issued on 17/1/2013 in Makueni PMCC Land Dispute Tribunal Court no. 7 of 2013 be stayed , discharged, varied and or set aside and a fresh one to issue in conformity with the award  issued on 17/1/2003.

2) The application is predicated on the grounds that the decree orders of this court issued on 17/9/2013 are not in conformity with the award given on 17/4/2003, that the award was to the effect that the disputed land should be shared equally between the families of claimant and objector using the laid down procedures, the family with the help of the clan should first sort out the costs incurred by the objector during the  legislation (SIC) of the cases with his neighbours and further that each party do bear its own costs, that the decree did not conform to the award in the fact that it did not indicate that the family with the help of the clan should first sort out the costs incurred by the objector during litigation of the cases and therefore, in the interest of justice, the decree orders be stayed, be discharged, varied set aside and fresh decree in conformity with the award be issued.

3) The application is expressed to be brought under sections 1A, 1B & 3 A on the Civil Procedure Act and order 40 rules 7 of the Civil Procedure Rules and all other enabling provisions of the Law. It is also supported by the affidavit of Mutunga Kiindu sworn on 12/10/2017.

4) In summary, the application and the supporting affidavit are to the effect that the decree orders of Makueni PMCC LDTC No. 7 of 2003 issued on 17/1/2013 are not in conformity with the award issued on 17/4/2013  and such  the same should be stayed, discharged, varied, set aside and a fresh decree in conformity with the award issue.

5) For the avoidance of doubt, no order of injunction is sought to be discharged, varied, or set aside and such, the applicant moved the court under the wrong order of the Civil Procedure Rules. In my view, the applicant ought to have moved the court under order 45 vide 1(1) (b) of the Civil Procedure Rules which deals review of decree or orders in instances where appeal such as the one the applicant finds himself in is not allowed.

6) In the instant application, it is clear that there is an error and/or omission of decree. In my view the applicant ought to have filed an application for review before the principal magistrate’s court Makueni which happens to be the court that issued the decree and not this court.

7) The court of Appeal had a chance to consider the circumstances under which review may be granted in the case of National Bank of Kenya Ltd Vs Ndungu Njau in Civil Appeal No. 211 of 1996(UR).

8) The court held as follows,

“ A review may be granted whenever the court considers that it is necessary to correct an apparent error on omission on the part of the court. The error or omission must be self-evident and should not require on elaborate argument to be established”

In the circumstances, my finding is that the application has no merits. The applicant is directed to file the application before the appropriate court. The application is hereby struck out with no orders as to costs since the first Respondent did not enter appearance nor did he file his replying affidavit.

Signed Dated and Delivered  on 23^rd Day of November, 2017

Mr. Kwemboi Court Assistant

No appearance from N.O Makau & Mulei Advocates

MBOGO C.G

JUDGE