[2017] KEHC 3631 (KLR)

[2017] KEHC 3631 (KLR)

The court held that the right of access to information under Article 35 of the Constitution is limited to Kenyan citizens and does not apply retrospectively to actions or information predating the 2010 Constitution. Since the 1st Petitioner is not a Kenyan citizen, he lacks locus standi to bring or sustain the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2017] KEHC 3631 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: David Nyekorach Matsanga; Applicant: John Muiruri Kimani; Respondent: Hon. Mr. Justice Philip Waki; Respondent: The Office of the Prosecutor of I.C.C; Respondent: The Attorney General; Interested Party: Myot Welfare Association, Kalenjin Council of Elders
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Petition 88 of 2015
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Ruling on Preliminary Objection and Application for Leave to Amend
Outcome
Petition allowed to be amended; 1st Petitioner and 1st Respondent struck out; no order as to costs; matter to be placed before Chief Justice for reconstitution of bench.
Legal Topics
Right of Access to Information, Locus Standi, Preliminary Objection, Retrospective Application of Constitution, Judicial Immunity
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Civil Procedure Right of Access to Information Locus Standi Preliminary Objection Retrospective Application of Constitution Judicial Immunity

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

David Nyekorach Matsanga

Applicant

John Muiruri Kimani

Applicant

Hon. Mr. Justice Philip Waki

Respondent

The Office of the Prosecutor of I.C.C

Respondent

The Attorney General

Respondent

Myot Welfare Association, Kalenjin Council of Elders

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Constitutional Petition / Ruling on Preliminary Objection and Application for Leave to Amend

  1. 1 Whether the 1st Petitioner has locus standi to bring the petition under Article 35 of the Constitution.
  2. 2 Whether the right of access to information under Article 35 applies retrospectively to actions predating the 2010 Constitution.
  3. 3 Whether the 1st Respondent (as former chair of CIPEV) can be sued or is immune from suit for actions taken in that capacity.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the right of access to information under Article 35 of the Constitution is limited to Kenyan citizens and does not apply retrospectively to actions or information predating the 2010 Constitution. Since the 1st Petitioner is not a Kenyan citizen, he lacks locus standi to bring or sustain the petition. The court further found that the petition, even as amended, does not disclose a cause of action against the 1st Respondent, as the information sought is not held by the 1st Respondent and there is no allegation that it is required for the exercise or protection of any right or fundamental freedom. The court also determined that the preliminary objection was proper for...

Court Disposition

Petition allowed to be amended; 1st Petitioner and 1st Respondent struck out; no order as to costs; matter to be placed before Chief Justice for reconstitution of bench.

Orders

  • Leave granted to amend the petition, to be filed and served within ten days.
  • 1st Petitioner and 1st Respondent struck out from the petition.