Munga & another v Bulkon Builders Limited & 3 others (Environment and Land Case 188 of 2018) [2026] KEELC 668 (KLR) (12 February 2026) (Ruling)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT AT MOMBASA ELC CASE NO. 188 OF 2018 OMAR MUGALA MUNGA…………………………………………...1ST PLAINTIFF IDD NGALA ………………………………………………..……..….2ND PLAINTIFF VERSUS BULKON BUILDERS LIMITED…………..….………….….….. 1ST DEFENDANT OCS BAMBURI POLICE STATION……………..…….………..2ND DEFENDANT DEPUTY COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISAUNI....………..…3RD DEFENDANT OCPD KISAUNI………………………………………..………..…4TH DEFENDANT RULING 1. By a notice of motion dated 27.08.2024 filed pursuant to Sections 1A 1B, 3A and 63 of the Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21) and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the 1st defendant sought an order for demolition of all the structures the plaintiffs had put up on plot No. 322/1/MN (the suit property) under the supervision of the Deputy County Commissioner, Kisauni Sub-County and the OCPD Kisauani. The 1st defendant sought costs of the application. ELC CAE NO. 188 OF 2018 Page 1 of 6 RULING 2. The application was based upon the grounds set out in the face of the motion and the contents of the supporting affidavit sworn by Nileshkumar Bhimji Harji on 27.08.2024. The 1st defendant stated that the plaintiffs’ suit was dismissed for non-attendance on 02.05.2024 hence they had no legitimate pending claim over the suit property. It was contended that they have continued to erect additional structures on the property in a bid to wrongfully entrench themselves on the suit property. 3. The 1st defendant also contended that the plaintiffs’ had scant respect for court orders in that they had previously constructed additional structures on the suit property in violation of a status quo order. As a result, the 1st defendant urged the court to allow the application so that they may remove the plaintiffs’ structures and recover possession of the suit property. 4. The plaintiffs filed a replying affidavit sworn by the 1st plaintiff on 25.10.2024 in opposition to the application. They contended that the application was frivolous, vexatious and lacking in merit. It was contended that the dispute concerning the suit property affected over 50 households and it could only be ELC CAE NO. 188 OF 2018 Page 2 of 6 RULING resolved through a full hearing of the suit. The plaintiffs stated that they had been in occupation of the suit property for ages and that they inherited the same from their grandparents hence they had acquired some proprietary rights over the same. 5. When the application was listed for directions it was directed that it shall be canvassed through written submissions only. The parties were consequently granted timelines within which to file and exchange their submissions. The record shows that the 1st defendant’s submissions were filed on 30.06.2025 but the plaintiffs’ submissions were not on record by the time of preparation of the ruling. 6. The court has perused the motion dated 27.08.2024, the replying affidavit in opposition thereto as well as the material on record. The court is of the view that the main question for determination is whether or not the 1st defendant is entitled to the prayers sough in the application. 7. There is no doubt from the material on record that the plaintiffs’ suit claiming an interest in the suit property was dismissed for non-attendance on 02.05.2024. There is also no dispute that the plaintiffs filed an application dated 03.05.2025 ELC CAE NO. 188 OF 2018 Page 3 of 6 RULING seeking the setting of the dismissal order but the application was dismissed by the court on 31.07.2025. There is no indication on record if the plaintiffs ever appealed that decision to a higher court. 8. As matters stand now, it would appear that the plaintiffs have no pending suit or claim over the suit property. However, a perusal of the court file indicates that the 1st defendant has a counter-claim dated 30.05.2019 in which it was pleaded that the 1st defendant was the registered proprietor of the suit property and that the plaintiffs were merely trespassers who were out to waste the property by constructing some illegal structures thereon. As such, the 1st defendant sought the following prayers in the counter claim; a) A permanent injunction restraining the plaintiff whether by himself or through his employees, servants, families, or agents or howsoever else whether by himself or through a third party claiming through him form wrongfully, illegally and unlawfully trespassing onto the 1st defendant’s property know as plot No. 322.I/MN, Utange and/or committing acts of waste thereon and/or building any structures thereon and/or interfering with the 1st defendant’s proprietary rights and quiet possession of its property in any manner howsoever or whatsoever. ELC CAE NO. 188 OF 2018 Page 4 of 6 RULING b) Damages for trespass. c) Costs of an incidental to this suit and d) Any other relief this honourable court may deem fit to grant. 9. The court is of the opinion that the orders for demolition and removal of the plaintiffs’ structures which are sought in the application are orders of a final nature which should only be granted upon conclusion of the suit. The court is of the view that even though the plaintiffs’ claim was dismissed on 02.05.2024, the suit is not yet concluded because the 1st defendant has a pending counter-claim which has never been heard and determined. As a result, the court finds the 1st defendant’s instant application to be premature. The 1st defendant appears to have put the cart before the horse. 10. The upshot of the foregoing is that the court finds no merit in the 1st defendant’s application for leave to demolish the plaintiffs’ structures on the suit property. As a result, the notice of motion dated 27.08.2024 is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs. The 1st defendant shall be at liberty to set down its counter-claim for hearing. Orders accordingly. ELC CAE NO. 188 OF 2018 Page 5 of 6 RULING Ruling dated and signed at Mombasa and delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams on this 12th day of February, 2026. …………………… Y. M. ANGIMA JUDGE In the presence of: Gillian - Court assistant Khagram for 1st defendant No appearance for plaintiffs No appearance for 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants ELC CAE NO. 188 OF 2018 Page 6 of 6 RULING