Prigal Limited & Michael Mwangi Muturi v Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd [2021] KEELC 1379 (KLR)
The bottom line
#KETRACO must deposit KES 65.8 million in agreed land compensation into a joint interest-earning account while a title dispute is resolved.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Entitlement to prompt compensation under Article 40(3) despite pending title revocation challenge
Until the court determines the validity of the Gazette Notice revoking the mother title, the petitioners retain an interest in the land, and if their titles are upheld the respondent must mandatorily compensate them
The court found it not disputed that the parties agreed compensation of Kshs.65,797,788 and that the respondent had taken possession and constructed the transmission line. The Gazette Notice revoking the mother title was stayed by the court in related petitions, so the petitioners continue to hold an interest. In the event the petitioners' titles are upheld, compensation is mandatory and should have been paid at acquisition. Payment into a joint interest-earning account protects both petitioners and public funds.
Appropriate interim protection of the agreed compensation sum
The respondent was directed to deposit the agreed compensation in a joint fixed interest-earning account in the names of the parties' counsel firms within 45 days, pending determination of the petition
The respondent had taken the full benefit of the agreement by entering the land and constructing the line, yet suspended payment indefinitely pending verification of ownership. The court balanced the parties' interests: the petitioners recover the sum with accrued interest if the titles stand; the respondent recoups the money with interest if the land is decreed government property, thereby safeguarding public funds.
Legal principles established
#- A person whose land is compulsorily acquired for a public purpose is entitled to prompt payment in full of just compensation, and compensation ought to be made at the point the land is acquired
- Where the ownership of the land to be compensated is disputed, the compensation may be secured by deposit into a joint interest-earning account so neither party is prejudiced
Court orders
#- 1.The respondent to deposit the agreed compensation of Kshs.65,797,788.00 in a joint fixed interest earning account at Kenya Commercial Bank Ltd and/or Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd, opened and operated in the names of the parties' counsel firms
- 2.The deposit to be made within 45 days from the date of the ruling
- 3.The account to remain in force pending determination of the petition and/or until further orders of the Court
- 4.Any party at liberty to apply
- 5.Costs of the application to be in the cause
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Article 40(3) of the Constitution of Kenya (constitutional petition on property rights and compensation)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Prigal Limited & Michael Mwangi Muturi v Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd [2021] KEELC 1379 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2021). ELC Petition (Nakuru), petition dated 17th February 2021. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2021/1379/eng@2021-10-28
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.