[2017] KEELRC 883 (KLR)
The court found that the claimant had already received Kshs 35,703 as part of the dues claimed in the suit, as admitted in both his replying affidavit and the memorandum of claim. Allowing the claimant to receive the full judgment sum in addition to the amount already paid would result in double payment, which is...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEELRC 883 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Benard Ouma Ochanjo; Respondent: Comply Industries Limited
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 306 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Cause / Ruling on Applications for Review and Stay of Execution
- Outcome
- application for review allowed; judgment sum reduced by amount already paid; stay application spent; each party to bear own costs
- Judges
- MSA Makhandia
- Legal Topics
- Review of Judgment, Stay of Execution, Double Payment, Deduction of Paid Amounts
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Benard Ouma Ochanjo
Claimant
Comply Industries Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Cause / Ruling on Applications for Review and Stay of Execution
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the judgment delivered on 27/1/2017 should be reviewed to account for Kshs 35,703 already paid to the claimant.
- 2 Whether a stay of execution should be granted pending determination of the review application.
- 3 Whether the claimant is entitled to receive the full judgment sum in addition to the amount already paid.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the claimant had already received Kshs 35,703 as part of the dues claimed in the suit, as admitted in both his replying affidavit and the memorandum of claim. Allowing the claimant to receive the full judgment sum in addition to the amount already paid would result in double payment, which is unconscionable and contrary to principles of equity. The court therefore allowed the application for review, ordering that the judgment award of Kshs 128,000 be reduced by Kshs 35,703. The amount deposited in court was to be released to the respondent's advocate, and each party was to bear its own costs of the application.
Court Disposition
application for review allowed; judgment sum reduced by amount already paid; stay application spent; each party to bear own costs
Orders
- The judgment award of Kshs 128,000 is reduced by Kshs 35,703 already paid to the claimant.
- The amount of Kshs 35,703 deposited in court is to be released to the respondent's advocate.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT AT NAKURU
CAUSE NO. 306 OF 2015
BENARD OUMA OCHANJO CLAIMANT
V
COMPLY INDUSTRIES LIMITED RESPONDENT
RULING
1. There are 2 applications by the Respondent for determination. Both applications were taken together.
2. The first application was filed on 9 March 2017, seeking
1. THAT this honourable court be and is hereby pleased to review the judgment dated 27/1/2017.
2. THAT the said judgment is reviewed by taking into account the Kshs 35,703/= which had already been paid to the claimant through the Labour office.
3. The second application was filed on 21 March 2017 and it sought
1. ..
2. THAT there be a temporary stay of execution pending the hearing and determination of the review application herein.
3. THAT the costs of this application be in the cause.
4. On 21 March 2017, the Court granted a stay of execution in terms of prayer 2 in the latter application on condition that the disputed amount of Kshs 35,703/- would be deposited into Court. The amount was duly deposited in Court.
5. Although the application of 21 March 2017 raised legal issues as to how the Claimant carried out the execution of the decree, it is technically spent/incompetent, because of the transient manner in which the order was framed, and the Court will not examine it.
6. The Claimant’s advocate filed a replying affidavit on 13 March 2017 in opposition to the first application and arguments were taken on 21 April 2017.
7. The Claimant admitted in his replying affidavit that he had been paid Kshs 35,703/-, though according to him it was not adequate. Same admission was made in the Memorandum of Claim.
8. The payment was part of the dues made to the Claimant, and because he also made claims for the dues in Court, it would be unconscionable for the Claimant to receive double payment.
9. The Court would therefore allow the application for review by ordering that the judgment award of Kshs 128,000/- be reduced by Kshs 35,703/-.
10. The amount deposited in Court should be released to the Respondent’s advocate on record.
11. Each party to bear own costs of the application.
Delivered, dated and signed in Nakuru on this 31st day of July 2017.
Radido Stephen
Judge
Appearances
For Claimant Mr. Opar instructed by Wanyama & Co. Advocates
For Respondent Mr. Masese instructed by Mumia & Njiru Advocates
Court Assistant Nixon