Tagaya v Onyango & another
The bottom line
#A Kenyan land court refused to review its own judgment because the applicant knew the facts all along and had already appealed.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Whether an apparent error on the face of the record existed to warrant review under Order 45 Rule 1(a)
No apparent error existed; the alleged error regarding the acreage and limitation computation was within the applicant's knowledge and was dealt with by both the trial court and this court
The applicant claimed she discovered in 2018 that only 0.4 hectares had been allocated to her per the title deed. The court found from the statement of defence and counterclaim dated 26th June 2019, the trial court's judgment and this court's judgment that the applicant had knowledge of the error throughout. Matters within a party's knowledge at trial cannot found review, and there was no due diligence on her part.
Whether the pendency of an appeal affects the court's jurisdiction to review its own judgment
Since a notice of appeal had been lodged deeming an appeal to the Court of Appeal duly lodged, it would not be right for the matter to be heard simultaneously by this court and the Court of Appeal
The applicant had filed a notice of appeal dated 24th February 2023 and filed on 28th February 2023. Under Order 42 Rule 6(4) of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010, an appeal to the Court of Appeal is deemed duly lodged. Relying on the Job Kilach authority, the court held that parallel proceedings on the same matter in this court and the Court of Appeal would be improper.
Legal principles established
#- A party cannot obtain review on the basis of matters that were within its knowledge and could have been produced at the initial trial
- A matter should not be heard simultaneously by the High Court on review and the Court of Appeal where an appeal has been lodged
Court orders
#- 1.The notice of motion dated 30th March 2023 seeking review of the judgment delivered on 31st January 2023 is dismissed
- 2.Costs of the application to abide the outcome of the appeal at the Court of Appeal
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Order 45 Rule 1(a) of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010; sections 80 and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Tagaya v Onyango & another", Case Analysis (2023). Environment and Land Appeal 5 of 2022 (Formerly Migori ELC Appeal No. E005 of 2021). Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2023/20751/eng@2023-10-17
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.