Kisiangani & 3 others v Steve Fwesa t/a Travellers Hotel Plaza & another (Environment & Land Case E008 of 2022) [2023] KEELC 22205 (KLR) (13 December 2023) (Ruling)

Kenya Law

Automated Summary

Deceased Name

Peter Koinange Kisiangani (deceased)

Key Facts

The case involves an application by Marygorethi Kisiangani to join a land dispute as an interested party. The plaintiffs, acting as legal administrators of the deceased Peter Koinange Kisiangani's estate, sold Land Parcel No. Webuye Municipality Plot No. 7996/78A to the first defendant (Travellers Hotel Plaza) with family consent. The applicant claims she is the deceased's daughter and seeks to confirm the legality of the sale but does not claim any relief. The court dismissed the application, ruling that her participation was unnecessary as the case could be resolved without her involvement and she is not a necessary or proper party under Order 1 Rule 10(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules.

Issues

  • Whether the ultimate order or decree in the suit cannot be enforced without the applicant's participation in the proceedings.
  • Whether the applicant is a necessary party to the suit, considering if her presence is required for a complete adjudication of all questions involved.
  • Whether the applicant is a proper party to be joined, including if she is an administrix or has a legal role in the proceedings.
  • Whether there is a legal relief flowing from the applicant to the plaintiff, which would necessitate her inclusion in the suit.

Holdings

The court dismissed the applicant's Chamber Summons application dated 7th July 2023 as it found the application devoid of merit. The court determined that the proposed interested party (Marygorethi Kisiangani) is not a necessary or proper party to the suit, noting there is no relief flowing from her to the plaintiff and the ultimate order/decree can be enforced without her participation. The applicant's concern about factual information regarding the sale of the suit land was deemed addressable without joining her as a party.

Remedies

The Chamber Summons application dated 7th July 2023 seeking to join Marygorethi Kisiangani as an interested party was dismissed with costs. The court found the application lacked merit, noting the applicant's presence was unnecessary for adjudicating the suit and that her concerns could be addressed without party status.

Probate Status

Letters of Administration granted to plaintiffs as legal administrators of the estate of Peter Koinange Kisiangani (deceased)

Legal Principles

The court applied principles from Order 1 Rule 10(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules regarding the joinder of parties. It evaluated whether the applicant was a necessary and proper party to the suit, considering factors such as whether there was a relief flowing from the applicant to the plaintiff and whether the decree could be enforced without the applicant's participation.

Precedent Name

  • JMK V Mwm & Another
  • Joseph Njau Kingori v Robert Maina Chege & 3 Others

Executor Name

  • Eugine Wanjala Kisiangani
  • Sammy Mumbwani Kisiangani
  • Shadrack Nakitare Kisiangani
  • Saverous Kitinindi Kisiangani

Cited Statute

Civil Procedure Rules

Executor Appointment

Legal administrator of the estate of Peter Kisiangani (deceased)

Judge Name

EC CHERONO

Beneficiary Classes

Child / Issue

Passage Text

  • In the case of JMK V Mwm & Another [2015] eKLR the Court of Appeal held: '...it is only when a suit or proceeding has been finally disposed of and there is nothing more to be done that the rule becomes inapplicable.'
  • I find that the proposed interested party/applicant is not a proper and necessary party as there is no relief flowing from him to the plaintiff and the ultimate order/decree can be enforced without her participation in these proceedings.
  • Order 1 Rule 10(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules provides the guiding principles for joinder of a party and states as follows: 'The court may at any stage of the proceedings...be added.'