Kenya National Highways Authority v Sheikh and Sheikh (As Trustees of Sheikh Fazal Ilahi Noordin Charitable Trust) & 2 others (Land Case Appeal E192 of 2025) [2026] KEELC 5246 (KLR)
The bottom line
#What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Questions the Court framed
#The issues the Court set itself to decide, in its own words.
- 1.whether the application for joinder of the intended interested parties is merited
Key legal issues
#Whether the intended interested parties (self-described long-standing squatters claiming adverse possession) ought to be joined in the appeal
The application for joinder was dismissed; the Applicants lack a demonstrated, identifiable right in the suit property and their presence is not necessary for the effective determination of the appeal
The court applied Order 1 Rule 10(2) and the joinder tests in Kingori v Chege and the interested-party threshold in Francis Karioki Muruatetu. The Applicants' claimed basis was adverse possession, already litigated and dismissed in ELC 102 of 2008 by Angote J, whose judgment found less than 12 years of possession. There was therefore no grey area as to their position, and the court could decide the appeal without them. The 1st Respondent's res judicata and abuse-of-process arguments were noted in support.
Legal principles established
#- Joinder of a party is discretionary and the core test is whether the party is necessary - one with a demonstrable stake whose presence is needed for the court to effectually and completely adjudicate on the suit
Court orders
#- 1.The Notice of Motion Application dated 20th February 2026 is without merit and is hereby dismissed.
- 2.Costs of the Application be borne by the Applicants.
The bench
#One judgment of the whole court — no separate or dissenting opinions.
Wrote the judgment
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Order 1 Rule 10(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010 (joinder of parties)
Relief refused
#Leave for the Applicants to be enjoined in the proceedings as interested parties
The Applicants had no demonstrated and identifiable rights in the suit property; their adverse possession claim had been dismissed in ELC 102 of 2008 and the appeal could be decided without them
Leave to file pleadings, affidavits and other documents to protect their interests
Ancillary to the refused joinder; without joinder there is no basis for the Applicants to participate
Costs
Costs of the Application be borne by the Applicants.
Quotable passages
#Verbatim from the judgment, each located to the page it appears on in the official PDF — so these can be cited and checked directly.
There is therefore no grey area left as to the Applicants’ position in relation to the suit property.
the Applicants have no demonstrated and identifiable rights that would enable their participation in these proceedings, making them a necessary party. The court can effectually decide on the appeal without their presence.
The Notice of Motion Application dated 20th February 2026 is without merit and is hereby dismissed.
Costs of the Application be borne by the Applicants.
Issues in the judgment
#The suit property is inconsistently identified: the application refers to 'Nairobi/Block 37/63 formerly LR No 209/163' while the pleadings refer to the suit in ELC 102 of 2008 (elsewhere typed 'ELC 102 of 20028')
Internal dating inconsistency: the ruling header describes the application as dated 20th February 2026, yet the judgment narrative describes the applicants as Plaintiffs in ELC 102 of 2008 whose suit was determined by 'the judgement of 26th February 2026' delivered by Angote J, dates that sit oddly with an appeal numbered 192 of 2025
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Kenya National Highways Authority v Sheikh and Sheikh (As Trustees of Sheikh Fazal Ilahi Noordin Charitable Trust) & 2 others (Land Case Appeal E192 of 2025) [2026] KEELC 5246 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2026). ELC Appeal No. 192 of 2025. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2026/5246/eng@2026-08-06
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.