[2021] KEELRC 1403 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT OF KENYA

ATNAIROBI

CAUSE NO.1709 OF 2017

BENEDICT KYALO MUINDE.....................................CLAIMANT

VERSUS

STRAIGHT SECURITY SERVICES LIMITED....RESPONDENT

RULING

The respondent, Straight Security Services Limited filed application dated 28th September, 2020 seeking the suit herein be dismissed for want of prosecution and the same is supported by the affidavit of Stephen Saenyi Advocate for the respondent and on the grounds that the claimant has neglected to take steps in prosecuting this case and it is now over a year since filing suit on 12th June, 2017. The delay in prosecuting the suit is inordinate, unreasonable and it is apparent that the suit was filed in abuse of court process and should be dismissed with costs.

Mr Saenyi also avers in his affidavit that the claimant filed the claim on 12th June, 2017 and a defence filed on 18th June, 2018 and to which the claimant replied on 3rd July, 2018.

On 20th March, 2019 the matter was mentioned for pre-trial directions and the case certified ready for hearing. It is now over a year and the claimant has not taken any action to prosecute the claim and the same should be dismissed with costs.

In reply, the claimant filed the Replying Affidavit of Patrick Waiganjo Wachira Advocate in the conduct of this matter and who avers that upon filing the claim the matter came up for taking hearing directions on 20th March, 2019 but the court diary has since been full. the Deputy Registrar issued notice dated 7th November, 2019 to the effect that only parties who filed suits before the year 2016 and below would be allocated dates. This has also affected the claimant’s case due to inability to take hearing dates and the application by the respondent should be dismissed with costs.

It is common cause that the claimant filed the Memorandum of Claim on 29th August, 2017 and a defence filed on 29th June, 2018.

Pleadings closed and parties attended court on 20th March, 2019 and hearing directions issued.

There is no action taken since until the respondent filed the instant application seeking to have the suit dismissed for want of prosecution.

The claimant’s case is that the Deputy Registrar issued notice directing that the diary as closed and only matters filed in the year 2016 and below would be allocated a hearing date. This notice is dated 7th November, 2019 whereas pleadings closed on 20th March, 2019. The claimant has not rendered an account of the time from such date until the stated Notice by the Deputy Registrar of 7th November, 2019.

This is the claimant’s case. Save for what his Advocate avers as the reason(s) why there is inaction is prosecuting this matter; there is no evidence as to why the claimant has not taken any action to assert his claims as the right-holder of the suit herein.

Rule 16 of the Employment and Labour Relations Court (Procedure) rules, 2016 (Court Rules) allow a party to move the court and seek for the dismissal of a suit where there is no action taken within a year. Such allow a party keen to be heard move the court to secure their rights and avoid unnecessary delays.

In this case, the court court finds no justifiable cause warranting the failure by the claimant to prosecute his case for a period going to over a year and contrary to Rule 16 of the Court Rules.

In the case of Ruth Ndegwa v Development Alternatives Incorporated [2017] eKLRthe court held that;

Rule 16(1) and (3) of the Employment and Labour Relations Court (Procedure) Rules, 2016 provides that;

16. (1) In any suit in which no application has been made in accordance with Rule 15 or no action has been taken by either party within one year from the date of its filing, the Court may give notice In writing to theparties to show cause why the suit should not be dismissed and if no reasonable cause is shown to its satisfaction, may dismiss the suit.

2. ….

3. Any party to the suit may apply for dismissal as provided in paragraph

(1) There rules are not empty. They are meant to ensure due process and orderliness. No party should stand prejudiced. Properly moved, the respondent’s application is found with merit.

Application by the respondent herein and dated 28th September, 2020 is found with merit and the suit is hereby dismissed for want of prosecution pursuant to Rule 16 of the Court Rules. Costs to the respondent.

DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT AT NAIROBI THIS 20THDAY OF JANUARY, 2021

M. MBARU

JUDGE

In the presence of:

Court Assistance: Okodoi

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