[2022] KEHC 1054 (KLR)
The court found that the appellants had demonstrated sufficient grounds for the grant of a stay of execution pending appeal, particularly the risk of substantial loss and the possibility that the respondent may not be able to refund the decretal sum if the appeal succeeds. However, the court balanced the interests...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 1054 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Annah Mutehu Ndunda; Appellant: Joseph Kabui Mathaiya; Respondent: Ann Wanjeri Mwangi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nyahururu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Appeal E024 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Appeal / Stay of Execution Application Pending Appeal
- Outcome
- Stay of execution granted on condition of security; directions on deposit of sums; costs in the appeal.
- Legal Topics
- Stay of Execution, Security for Decretal Sum, Appeal Procedure
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Annah Mutehu Ndunda
Appellant
Joseph Kabui Mathaiya
Appellant
Ann Wanjeri Mwangi
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Stay of Execution Application Pending Appeal
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the appellants are entitled to a stay of execution of the decree pending appeal.
- 2 What security, if any, should be ordered as a condition for stay of execution.
- 3 Whether the respondent's ability to refund the decretal sum if the appeal succeeds is in doubt.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the appellants had demonstrated sufficient grounds for the grant of a stay of execution pending appeal, particularly the risk of substantial loss and the possibility that the respondent may not be able to refund the decretal sum if the appeal succeeds. However, the court balanced the interests of both parties by ordering that Kshs.1 million be deposited in a joint account of the parties' advocates and Kshs.500,000 be deposited with the respondent's advocate within 45 days as security. The stay was made conditional upon compliance with these security requirements, failing which the stay would lapse and execution would proceed. The court further directed the parties to...
Court Disposition
Stay of execution granted on condition of security; directions on deposit of sums; costs in the appeal.
Orders
- Stay of execution is granted on condition that Kshs.1,000,000 is deposited in a joint account of the parties' advocates and Kshs.500,000 is deposited with the respondent's advocate within 45 days.
- The parties are to expedite the hearing and determination of the appeal.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
32 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NYAHURURU
CIVIL APPEAL NO. E024 OF 2021
ANNAH MUTEHU NDUNDA...................1ST APPELLANT
JOSEPH KABUI MATHAIYA..................2ND APPELLANT
-VERSUS-
ANN WANJERI MWANGI...........................RESPONDENT
RULING
1. This is an application dated 26/01/2021 where Appellant seeks orders for stay of execution of decree in Nyahururu CMCC 103/2018 pending hearing and determination of the appeal.
2. The same is supported by the grounds set out in the application namely:
i. That our instructing client who is Insurer of the Defendant/Applicant has filed a memorandum of appeal against judgment of Lower Court.
ii. That stay of execution granted by the Lower Court has expired.
iii. That the Respondent may execute the decree any time before this application is heard interparties.
iv. That the Applicant/Appellant will suffer substantial loss, injustice and will be highly prejudiced if stay of execution is not granted.
v. That the appeal will be rendered nugatory if the decree is executed.
vi. That the Applicants’ appeal raises serious arguable issues with high chances of success as shown by the memorandum filed.
vii. That the Applicant is ready to make and undertaking on security and abide by conditions which the court may set pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
viii. That the Respondent may not be able to refund the decretal amount in the likely event that the intended appeal is successful.
3. The same application is supported by affidavit of Sammy Kamau Wanjikusworn on 26th October, 2021.
4. The application is opposed by Respondent via affidavit of Ann Wanjeri Mwangi sworn on 22nd December, 2021 especially the following paragraph of the affidavit of Ann Wanjeri Mwangi namely 4, 5, 6, 7, 9.
5. The matter came for hearing 14th March, 2022 and the parties could not agree on the compromise of the application on the issue of the amount to be deposited in joint account to await the hearing and determination of the appeal.
6. Whereas the Applicant seeks to deposit ½ of the decretal amount in joint account as security, the Respondent insists on the entire amount being so deposited.
7. The parties agreed the court to give them time to either compromise and a consent be recorded on 24th March, 2022 or court to make ruling on same issue on same date.
8. After listening to the both parties’ sides and perusing the record, I find it prudent to direct that in absence of a compromise of the parties on the application herein, the orders recommending themselves are:
i. Stay of execution sought is granted on condition that Kshs.1million is deposited in joint account of parties’ Advocates and Kshs.500,000/- to be deposited with Respondent’s Advocate within 45 days.
ii. The parties to expedite the hearing and determination of the appeal.
iii. In default of the (i) above, the orders to stand vacated and execution to proceed.
iv. Costs in the main appeal.
DATED AND SIGNED AT NYAHURURU THIS 28TH DAY OF MARCH, 2022.
.........................................
CHARLES KARIUKI
JUDGE