Thuo v Rambiti Farm Saw Mill Limited & another (Environment and Land Case E010 of 2022) [2025] KEELC 8602 (KLR)
The bottom line
#What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Location of the suit property
The suit property, CR. 77010 within Karuwa area, Tana River County, is undisputedly situated in Tana River County.
The court examined paragraphs 4 and 5 of the amended plaint describing the property and noted the 1st defendant's statement of defence did not dispute the location. The undisputed factual position made the objection a pure point of law under the Mukisa Biscuits test.
Territorial jurisdiction under section 12 of the Civil Procedure Act
The Mombasa court lacks territorial jurisdiction since the property is in Tana River County and the claim falls outside the proviso permitting suit where the defendant resides or carries on business.
The plaintiff's claim to thirty percent ownership of the suit property falls under section 12 suits concerning rights in immovable property, not within the proviso for relief obtainable through personal obedience. Hence neither the location of the Mombasa Lands Registry nor the defendant's registered offices matters; the suit should have been filed where the property lies.
Whether the suit should be struck out or transferred
The suit is transferred to ELC Malindi rather than struck out, with costs to the 1st defendant.
Weighing the superior court decisions on striking out versus transfer, the court found transfer to the court with territorial jurisdiction just, fair and cost effective. Since the objection arose from the plaintiff filing in the wrong court, the plaintiff bears the 1st defendant's costs under section 27 of the Civil Procedure Act.
Legal principles established
#- Suits relating to immovable property shall be instituted in the court within whose local limits the property is situate, save where the proviso to section 12 applies.
- A preliminary objection on territorial jurisdiction based on undisputed location of suit property is a pure point of law.
- The registry where the records of a suit property are kept is not a determinant of territorial jurisdiction.
Court orders
#- 1.That this suit is hereby transferred to ELC Malindi for hearing and determination.
- 2.The plaintiff to meet the 1st defendant's costs in the preliminary objection.
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Section 12 of the Civil Procedure Act (Chapter 21, Laws of Kenya)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Thuo v Rambiti Farm Saw Mill Limited & another (Environment and Land Case E010 of 2022) [2025] KEELC 8602 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2025). Not stated in judgment. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2025/8602/eng@2025-12-10
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.