[2005] KEHC 1213 (KLR)
The court found that the respondent had committed acts of cruelty and desertion by forcing the petitioner out of the matrimonial home and failing to reconcile or support her and the children for over eleven years. Both parties admitted to adultery and sought dissolution, evidencing mutual breakdown of the marriage....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2005] KEHC 1213 (KLR)
- Parties
- Petitioner: F.M; Respondent: M.T.J; Co Respondent: J.G
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Divorce Cause 46 of 2003
- Procedural Posture
- Divorce Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Petition allowed; marriage dissolved; custody of children to petitioner; costs to petitioner.
- Legal Topics
- Dissolution of Marriage, Adultery, Desertion, Custody of Children
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
F.M
Petitioner
M.T.J
Respondent
J.G
Co Respondent
Procedural Posture
Divorce Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the marriage between the petitioner and respondent has irretrievably broken down.
- 2 Whether the respondent committed acts of desertion and cruelty against the petitioner.
- 3 Whether either party is entitled to dissolution of marriage on grounds of adultery or desertion.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the respondent had committed acts of cruelty and desertion by forcing the petitioner out of the matrimonial home and failing to reconcile or support her and the children for over eleven years. Both parties admitted to adultery and sought dissolution, evidencing mutual breakdown of the marriage. The court determined that the marriage had irretrievably broken down and could not be supported. On the issue of custody, the court declined to grant the respondent custody of the two children born to the petitioner, as he was not their biological father, had not maintained them, and had another family. The petitioner, being their mother and primary caregiver, was deemed the...
Court Disposition
Petition allowed; marriage dissolved; custody of children to petitioner; costs to petitioner.
Orders
- Decree Nisi for dissolution of marriage to issue, to be made absolute after 4 weeks from the date of judgment.
- Custody, care, and control of the two children born to the petitioner to remain with the petitioner.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
28 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OFKENYA
AT MOMBASA
DIVORCE CAUSE 46 OF 2003
F.M ……..……………….…..…….………..PETITIONER
VERSUS
M.T.J……………..………….…………RESPONDENT
J. G................................... ….....…CO-RESPONDENT
J U D G M E N T
The Petition filed by F.M “Petitioner” shows that she contracted a marriage with Respondent on 12/12/1988. She was a spinster then. After the ceremony of marriage they cohabited in Kisauni, Mtopanga in Mombasa.
The marriage was blessed with two children – daughters F.D and E.I who later perished in a fire while residing with and in the house of Respondent their father. Their death caused ill-feelings between the parents. The Petitioner who was living separately demanded a post mortem on the bodies and a public inquest but the Respondent refused to permit these procedures. So there is no child surviving between the Petitioner and the Respondent.
In her evidence the Petitioner stated that she left matrimonial home when in 1994 the husband “Respondent” chased her away after beating her. She went away with children but he later persuaded her to hand over the said children to him. The Respondent admitted that they have lived apart for 11 years now. He said Petitioner was unfaithful in December 1994. The Petitioner also complains that the Respondent has committed adultery with several women over the years. She has given their names in the petition. One of the women is named as a co-respondent. It does not appear as if any of the women were served with Notices to intervene.
However, the Respondent has admitted that he has now another family. He has therefore admitted adultery.
The Petitioner seeks dissolution of marriage. The Respondent also does seek dissolution alleging adultery which the Petitioner admits and she has got two children out of marriage.
The Respondent admits that the children are not his biological offspring but claims them and asks for legal custody. He has never maintained them or supported them.
Upon hearing the evidence of both parties and upon reading their verified pleadings, I have come to the conclusion that there is the offence of desertion by the Respondent. He forced her out of house by his acts of cruelty. The desertion has continued for at least 3 years preceding the divorce petition. I also find that the circumstances of the death of these children the Petitioner has lost confidence in the Respondent as a husband and each party has sought comfort outside the marriage. This marriage has completely broken down and it cannot be supported. Both parties ask for dissolution of the marriage.
I find that the petitioner has proved her petition on ground of desertion. I enter judgement for her and declare dissolution of her marriage with the Respondent. Decree Nisi shall issue to be made absolute after expiration of 4 weeks from the date of this judgement.
I decline to grant orders of custody of the two children now born to the Petitioner to the Respondent he does not know them and he has another family.
Petitioner shall continue to have their custody care and control. She is their mother and the best person to take care of them.
However, I order the Respondent to pay the Petitioner’s costs of this suit.
Delivered and dated at Mombasa this 12th day of October 2005. J. KHAMINWA
J U D G E
12/10/05
Khaminwa, J
Jason – Court Clerk
Mr. Omotto h/b
Read in his presence.
KHAMINWA, J