Plaintiff/Applicant v Respondents/Interested Parties (Eviction)
The bottom line
#Filing an appeal does not stop eviction in Kenya — only a granted stay of execution does, so occupants must obtain one or face removal.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Whether an appeal or intended appeal constitutes an automatic stay of execution
No. Neither a Notice of Appeal, an appeal, nor a pending application for extension of time to lodge a Notice of Appeal operates as a stay; stay must be granted under Order 42 Rule 6(1) upon sufficient cause being shown.
The court held that Order 42 Rule 6(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010 is 'apt and explicit': no appeal or second appeal constitutes an order of stay. The Respondents' Notice of Appeal had been struck out on 12.05.2026 for incompetence under rule 77 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022, and their extension-of-time application was pending and ungranted. Hence no stay existed and counsel's submissions were misplaced.
Whether the Applicant established sufficient basis for eviction orders
Yes. The Applicant proved registered ownership, a lawful decree not varied, set aside or stayed, and lapse of the 120-day vacate period.
Relying on Sections 24 and 25 of the Land Registration Act, 2012, the court found the Applicant's rights statutorily sanctioned. The decree of 12.11.2025 required the Respondents to vacate within 120 days with liberty to evict on default. The Respondents remained in occupation despite service of the decree, which the court characterized as willful disobedience of lawful court orders, entitling the Applicant to the fruits of the judgment.
Legal principles established
#- The filing of a Notice of Appeal or an appeal does not, by itself, operate as a stay of execution; only a granted order of stay suffices.
- Continued occupation of land in the face of a lawful, unvaried, unstayed decree constitutes willful disobedience of court orders, and the court is bound to facilitate implementation.
Court orders
#- 1.The Application dated 07.04.2026 be and is hereby allowed
- 2.An order of eviction issued against the Respondents/interested parties, their agents, servants and/or employees from LR Kiirua/Nkando/605
- 3.The eviction order to be executed by a nominated auctioneer appointed by the Applicant
- 4.The Sub County Police Commandant – Kiirua Police Division (Buuri East Sub county) and the OCS – Kiirua Police Station to provide reasonable security to the Applicant and the nominated auctioneer to facilitate the eviction
- 5.The Applicant to bear the reasonable charges towards provision of security in accordance with the applicable Government Scales
- 6.Costs of the application awarded to the Applicant
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Sections 1A, 1B and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21); Sections 152A and 152E of the Land Act, 2012; Article 40 of the Constitution, 2010
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Plaintiff/Applicant v Respondents/Interested Parties (Eviction)", Case Analysis (2026). Not stated in the judgment. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2026/4438/eng@2026-06-11
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.