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ELCDismissedELC Case No. E060 of 2024· [2026] KEELC 6110 (KLR)

Hussein Mohammed Ali Harazi v Elias Yeri & 8 Others

Environment and Land Court
1 October 2026
1,198 words in judgment
View original judgmentRead on Kenya Law Watch case
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The bottom line

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The court refused to undo a land settlement its lawyer agreed to, confirming that consent orders bind clients unless fraud or mistake is proven.

What this practically means

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Executive summary

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The 1st to 9th Defendants moved the Environment and Land Court at Malindi by Notice of Motion dated 15th October 2025 seeking leave for Ruttoh Erica & Associates Advocates to come on record, an arrest of the taxation of a Bill of Costs dated 2nd October 2025 and of execution proceedings, setting aside of orders issued on 30th September 2025, and a fresh joint survey of plot No. 273 Malindi. The application, supported by the affidavit of Mohammed Hamisi Masudi, was premised on the claim that a survey report filed and adopted by the court was conducted without the Defendants' knowledge or instructions and that their former advocates never informed them of it. The Plaintiff opposed the application, and the court canvassed it by written submissions. Framing three issues, the court allowed the incoming firm on record without opposition, but declined to set aside the consent order of 30th September 2025. Applying Florah N. Wasike v Destimo Wamboko and Kenya Commercial Bank Ltd v Specialized Engineering Co Ltd, it held that a consent order has contractual effect, that counsel has implied authority to compromise a suit, and that complaints about lack of instructions lie between litigant and advocate. The court also observed that boundary disputes fall to the Land Registrar under sections 18 and 19 of the Land Registration Act, consistent with the exhaustion doctrine. Having declined to set aside the consent, the court found no basis to arrest taxation or stay execution, and dismissed the application with costs.

Key legal issues

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01

Change of advocates after judgment

Holding

The incoming firm was allowed to come on record as there was no opposition by the Respondent

Reasoning

Order 9 rule 9 of the Civil Procedure Rules requires a court order for a change of advocates after judgment. Since the Respondent did not oppose that limb, the court permitted Ruttoh Erica & Associates Advocates to come on record for the 1st to 9th Defendants.

p. 4
02

Setting aside a consent order entered with counsel's consent

Holding

The consent order of 30 September 2025 was not set aside; the applicants failed to demonstrate a vitiating factor

Reasoning

Relying on Florah N. Wasike v Destimo Wamboko and Kenya Commercial Bank Ltd v Specialized Engineering Co Ltd, the court held that consents entered by counsel bind clients, an advocate has implied authority to compromise, and lack of instructions is a matter between litigant and advocate. Delay was not an issue here (one month), but no sufficient reason to set aside was shown.

p. 6
03

Arrest of taxation and stay of execution

Holding

Refused; taxation and execution follow naturally from the concluded suit

Reasoning

The consent adoption concluded the matter, with the suit marked settled in terms of the joint survey report and costs to the Plaintiffs. Having declined to set aside the consent, the court found no good reason to arrest taxation or stay execution, describing them as logical processes upon conclusion of a suit.

p. 6

Legal principles established

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  • A consent judgment or order has contractual effect and can only be set aside on grounds that would justify setting aside a contract, such as fraud, mistake, misrepresentation or illegality
  • A consent entered by counsel is binding and cannot be set aside unless obtained by fraud, collusion, contrary to public policy or given in ignorance of material facts
  • Boundary disputes fall within the statutory jurisdiction of the Land Registrar under sections 18 and 19 of the Land Registration Act, in line with the exhaustion doctrine

Court orders

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  1. 1.The firm of Ruttoh Erica & Associates Advocates allowed to come on record for the 1st to 9th Defendants/Applicants
  2. 2.The Notice of Motion dated 15th October 2025 dismissed with costs
Jurisdiction invoked
Sections 1, 1A, 1B, 3, 3A, 63(e) of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 10 Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Rules

Key timeline

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Practical implications

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Frequently asked questions

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Cite this brief

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Cite this brief

Caselaw, "Hussein Mohammed Ali Harazi v Elias Yeri & 8 Others", Case Analysis (2026). ELC Case No. E060 of 2024. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2026/6110/eng@2026-10-01

Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.