[2016] KEHC 7465 (KLR)

[2016] KEHC 7465 (KLR)

The court held that it had jurisdiction to determine the division of matrimonial property, regardless of the initial filing in the ELC Division, as the High Court divisions are for administrative convenience and all possess competent jurisdiction. The applicable law for division of matrimonial property is the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2016] KEHC 7465 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: A W M; Respondent: P G M
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Suit 71 of 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
Petition allowed in part; declaration of equal ownership of matrimonial properties; company shareholding declared but not divided; each party to bear own costs.
Legal Topics
Matrimonial Property Division, Indirect Contribution, Trusts in Property, Company Shareholding, Jurisdiction of Family Court
Source Language
en
Family and Children Land and Property Matrimonial Property Division Indirect Contribution Trusts in Property Company Shareholding Jurisdiction of Family Court

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 19 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 6
Sign in to unlock

Parties

A W M

Applicant

P G M

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Does the Family Division of the High Court have jurisdiction to determine division of matrimonial property initially filed in the ELC Division?
  2. 2 What is the applicable law for division of matrimonial property: Married Women’s Property Act 1882 (repealed), Constitution 2010, or Matrimonial Property Act 2013?
  3. 3 Did the Petitioner contribute directly or indirectly to the acquisition of the suit properties?

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that it had jurisdiction to determine the division of matrimonial property, regardless of the initial filing in the ELC Division, as the High Court divisions are for administrative convenience and all possess competent jurisdiction. The applicable law for division of matrimonial property is the Constitution 2010, specifically Article 45(3), as the matter was filed after its promulgation. The court found that the Petitioner made significant indirect contributions to the acquisition of both the matrimonial home and the Kitengela property through her employment, management of the family business, and payment of household expenses, even though she did not make direct mortgage...

Court Disposition

Petition allowed in part; declaration of equal ownership of matrimonial properties; company shareholding declared but not divided; each party to bear own costs.

Orders

  • L.R. NAIROBI/BLOCK [particulars withheld] HSE C [particulars withheld] UHURU GARDENS PHASE 1 is declared joint property of A W M and P G M in equal shares.
  • KJD KITENGELA/ [particulars withheld] is held by P G M in trust for himself and A W M in equal shares; to be shared equally.