[2015] KEHC 311 (KLR)
The court found that the respondent left the country three days after the marriage and never cohabited with the petitioner, resulting in denial of companionship and conjugal rights. There has been no communication between the parties since 2012, and the respondent has shown no intention to resume marital relations....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 311 (KLR)
- Parties
- Petitioner: F W M; Respondent: R N M
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Divorce Cause 67 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Divorce Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- petition allowed; marriage dissolved
- Judges
- REA Ougo
- Legal Topics
- Divorce, Desertion, Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
F W M
Petitioner
R N M
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Divorce Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the respondent's conduct amounts to desertion under the law.
- 2 Whether the marriage has irretrievably broken down and should be dissolved.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the respondent left the country three days after the marriage and never cohabited with the petitioner, resulting in denial of companionship and conjugal rights. There has been no communication between the parties since 2012, and the respondent has shown no intention to resume marital relations. The evidence was unchallenged, and the court concluded that the marriage has irretrievably broken down with no possibility of reconciliation. Therefore, the legal requirements for dissolution of marriage on the ground of desertion were satisfied.
Court Disposition
petition allowed; marriage dissolved
Orders
- The marriage between the petitioner and respondent celebrated on 12th January 2010 is dissolved.
- A decree nisi to issue forthwith and to be made absolute within 30 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
18 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
DIVORCE CAUSE NO. 67 OF 2014
F W M…………….....................................................................................PETITIONER
VERSUS
R N M.……………………….….................................................….…. RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
The petitioner and respondent got married on 12th January 2010 at the Registrar’s office in Nairobi and were issued with marriage certificate number[Particulars Withheld] . After the cerebration of the said marriage the respondent left for further studies at Metro State University, Minnesota in the United States of America on 15th January 2010. The marriage has no issues
The petitioner aver that the respondent travelled barely 3 days after they got married and as such they never really cohabited as husband and wife. That communication between her and the respondent ceased in 2012. That in 2013 the respondent sneaked into the country without informing the petitioner causing her mental anguish and emotional torture. That the respondent had on several occasions indicated that he no-longer desired to live with the petitioner. He does not provide for the respondent, has abandoned and deserted the petitioner and has denied her conjugal rights reasons why the applicant seeks for dissolution of the marriage to the respondent.
The respondent despite being served with the said petition did not enter appearance or file a cross petition. The Registrar on 2nd October 2014 certified that the matter proceed as an undefended cause.
The cause came for hearing on 22nd October 2015 and the petitioner reiterated the averments of her petition. The petitioner’s evidence is not challenged.
The petitioner seeks a divorce on grounds of desertion. Desertion is aground for divorce both under the Marriage and Divorce Act and Marriage Act 2014. The petitioner in her testimony stated that the respondent left the country 3 days after they got married and as such, they have never cohabited as husband and wife. The petitioner has as a result been denied companionship, conjugal rights there is no-longer any communication between the parties. From the foregoing, it is evident that the marriage between the parties has irretrievably broken down and there is no possibility of reconciliation. This court therefore dissolves the marriage between the Petitioner and the Respondent celebrated on 12th January 2010. A decree nisi to issue forthwith and to be made absolute within 30 days. Each party to bear its own costs. It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered this 24th day of November 2015.
R. E. OUGO
JUDGE
In the presence of:-
……………….……..For the Petitioner
Ms. Charity Court Clerk