[2021] KESC 47 (KLR)

[2021] KESC 47 (KLR)

The Supreme Court held that its jurisdiction under Article 163(4)(a) of the Constitution is limited to appeals arising from cases where the lower courts determined issues involving the interpretation or application of the Constitution. In this matter, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal addressed only the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2021] KESC 47 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: The Executive Committee, Kisii County; Appellant: The Governor, Kisii County; Appellant: The County Government Of Kisii; Respondent: Masosa Construction Limited; Respondent: The Transition Authority
Court
Supreme Court
Court Station
Supreme Court of Kenya
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Petition 5 of 2020
Procedural Posture
Petition of Appeal / Ruling on Jurisdiction
Outcome
Appeal struck out for want of jurisdiction.
Judges
PM Mwilu, MK Ibrahim, SC Wanjala, NS Ndungu, I Lenaola
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Mandamus Orders, Jurisdiction of Supreme Court, Successor Liability, Devolved Government Liabilities
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Administrative Law Contempt of Court Mandamus Orders Jurisdiction of Supreme Court Successor Liability Devolved Government Liabilities

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Parties

The Executive Committee, Kisii County

Appellant

The Governor, Kisii County

Appellant

The County Government Of Kisii

Appellant

Masosa Construction Limited

Respondent

The Transition Authority

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Petition of Appeal / Ruling on Jurisdiction

  1. 1 Whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction under Article 163(4)(a) of the Constitution to hear the appeal.
  2. 2 Whether the issues before the lower courts involved interpretation or application of the Constitution.
  3. 3 Whether the Appellants were properly cited for contempt of court for failure to comply with an order of mandamus.

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that its jurisdiction under Article 163(4)(a) of the Constitution is limited to appeals arising from cases where the lower courts determined issues involving the interpretation or application of the Constitution. In this matter, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal addressed only the question of whether the Appellants were in contempt of court for failing to comply with an order of mandamus, and did not interpret or apply constitutional provisions in their determinations. The Appellants' arguments regarding successor liability and the mandate of the National versus County Government under the Sixth Schedule were not the subject of adjudication in the contempt...

Court Disposition

Appeal struck out for want of jurisdiction.

Orders

  • The appeal is struck out for want of jurisdiction.
  • Only the 1st Respondent shall have the costs of the appeal; the 2nd Respondent is not awarded costs.