Nyete & another (Suing as Administrators of the Estate of the Late Joel Nyete) v Macakiage; Ndolo & 2 others (Third party) (Environment and Land Case E003 of 2023) [2025] KEELC 7614 (KLR)
The bottom line
#A Makueni court cancelled a land title fraudulently obtained in a dead man's name, returned the land to his family, and awarded Kshs. 2 million in damages.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Fraudulent registration and transfer of a deceased person's land
The Plaintiffs proved that the suit property was fraudulently registered in the name of the deceased after his death and fraudulently transferred to the Defendant
The deceased died on 20th October 2007, yet the suit property was registered in his name on 24th May 2017 and title issued on 7th July 2017. The Defendant admitted the thumbprint on the sale agreement was David Ndolo's, not the deceased's. The fraud was executed by David Ndolo, Jeremiah Simba and Esther Muthike Ndambuki, and the Defendant was aware of it.
General damages for trespass
Having proved trespass, the Plaintiffs were entitled to general damages without proving specific loss, assessed at Kshs. 2,000,000/=
The Defendant entered the land in October 2018, fenced and subdivided it in February 2020, keeping the Plaintiffs out of their 10.8 acres. Relying on Ajit Bhogal v Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd, the court held that proof of specific damage is unnecessary where trespass is established, and awarded Kshs. 2,000,000/= doing the best it could.
Third party proceedings
The case against the third parties was struck out during the hearing upon their counsel's application, unopposed by the Plaintiffs
The third parties, David Ndolo, Jeremiah Simba and Esther Muthike Ndambuki, had entered appearance and filed defences, but their lawyer applied to have the suit against them struck out. There was no opposition from the Plaintiffs' counsel, and the case against them was struck out. The Defendant did not appear at the hearing or adduce evidence.
Legal principles established
#- Where trespass is proved, no proof of specific damage or loss is required for an award of damages
Court orders
#- 1.Cancellation of title number Konza South/Konza South Block 5 (Konza) 113 together with the resultant subdivisions Konza South/Konza South Block 5 (Konza)/6725 to 6804
- 2.An order directing the Land Registrar, Makueni to register title number Konza South/Konza South Block 5 (Konza)/113 in the names of the Plaintiffs
- 3.General damages of Kenya Shillings two million (Kshs. 2,000,000/=) for trespass
- 4.Interest on the general damages at court rates from the date of the suit until payment in full
- 5.Costs of the suit to the Plaintiffs
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Not stated in the judgment; original civil suit for recovery of land and orders of certiorari
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Nyete & another (Suing as Administrators of the Estate of the Late Joel Nyete) v Macakiage; Ndolo & 2 others (Third party) (Environment and Land Case E003 of 2023) [2025] KEELC 7614 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2025). Not stated in judgment. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2025/7614/eng@2025-11-06
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.