[2016] KEHC 2839 (KLR)
The court found that the applicants failed to provide sufficient explanation for their non-attendance at the hearing that led to the dismissal of the suit. The death of the 1st plaintiff did not justify the absence of the other plaintiffs or their failure to communicate with their advocate or the court, especially...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEHC 2839 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Eliud Mukhisa Nalianya; Plaintiff: John Mabonga; Plaintiff: Edward Wambilianga; Defendant: Joseph Wanjala Fulafu; Defendant: Joseph Wanjala Simeon
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Bungoma
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Suit 69 of 2010
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Ruling on Application for Review and Setting Aside of Dismissal Order
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs
- Legal Topics
- Review of Dismissal Orders, Non Attendance, Order 45, Order 12, Setting Aside Judgments
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Eliud Mukhisa Nalianya
Plaintiff
John Mabonga
Plaintiff
Edward Wambilianga
Plaintiff
Joseph Wanjala Fulafu
Defendant
Joseph Wanjala Simeon
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Application for Review and Setting Aside of Dismissal Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant has demonstrated sufficient cause for review and setting aside of the dismissal order.
- 2 Whether the death of one plaintiff justified non-attendance and failure to prosecute the suit.
- 3 Whether there was discovery of new and important matter or error on the face of the record to warrant review.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicants failed to provide sufficient explanation for their non-attendance at the hearing that led to the dismissal of the suit. The death of the 1st plaintiff did not justify the absence of the other plaintiffs or their failure to communicate with their advocate or the court, especially given the time lapse between the death and the hearing. The court further held that the applicants did not demonstrate discovery of new and important matter or evidence, nor did they show any error or clerical mistake on the face of the record to warrant review under Order 45. Consequently, the application for review and setting aside of the dismissal order was dismissed.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs
Orders
- The application for review and setting aside of the dismissal order is dismissed with costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT BUNGOMA.
CIVIL SUIT NO. 69 OF 2010.
1. ELIUD MUKHISA NALIANYA)
2. JOHN MABONGA )…………………PLAINTIFFS.
3. EDWARD WAMBILIANGA )
VERSUS.
1. JOSEPH WANJALA FULAFU)
2. JOSEPH WANJALA SIMEON)…….DEFENDANTS.
RULING.
[1] The applicant brings this application under Sec. 3 3A and order 12 rule 7 and order 45 rule 1 and 2 of the Civil Procedure Rules 2010. He prays that this Court to review and set aside its order for dismissal made on 9/12/2015.
The basis for such application is that the suit was dismissed on 9/11/2015 that the Plaintiff herein died on 21/2/2015. That his death caused breakdown of communication. That the non-attendance of 3rd defendant and the 1st Plaintiff was caused by that breakdown of communication with their Counsel.
The application was opposed by the defendants. Mr Murunga learned Counsel for the respondent relied on the Replying Affidavit filed herein. He stated that the matter was set down for hearing by consent of both parties.
[2]That going by the death Certificate filed herein, by the time the suit was dismissed, the 3rd defendant was still alive. That the period between filing the case and fixing was 9 months. That there is no explanation why the applicants were unable to communicate over that period.
The Counsel argued that there are two other plaintiffs in this case and there is no explanation why those two never went to see the advocate or visit the court registry. Counsel argued that the case was filed in 2010 and for a period of over 5 years the Plaintiffs never attended the court. Further that Omollo Judge had on 27/5/2015 ordered that the plaintiffs to comply with Order 11 and the plaintiffs had not complied with Order 11. He urged the court to dismiss the application. There were no allegation of a new and important matter or evidence which after the exercise of due diligence, was not within the applicants knowledge. The court was not told of an error or clerical mistake on the face of the record to make the court review its orders. In other words the applicant did not show anything to warrant the court to interfere with its orders as required by order 45 rule 1 and 2.
When the suit was fixed for hearing the 3rd defendant was still alive. There was over 2 weeks before his death. There were other parties to the suit who could have pursued their Lawyer and the Court.
In all I am not satisfied with the reasons given for not attending the Court. This application is dismissed with costs.
Ruling read in open Court in the presence of the parties.
Dated, signed and delivered on 27th September, 2016.
S. MUKUNYA
JUDGE.
In the presence of:
Court Assistant - Joy
Mr. Murunga for 2nd Respondent
Mr. Kisinya for Petitioner/Applicant