[2025] KEHC 2013 (KLR)
The court held that the applicant, having voluntarily and unconditionally sought to withdraw the suit and expressed no further interest in the subject property or relationship, could not be compelled by the respondent to proceed. The court further exercised its discretion not to award costs to either party,...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2025] KEHC 2013 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: FWW; Respondent: JKN
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Matrimonial Cause E018 of 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Matrimonial Cause / Ruling on Oral Withdrawal Application Prior to Substantive Hearing
- Outcome
- application withdrawn, suit marked as withdrawn, no order as to costs, file closed
- Judges
- PN Gichohi
- Legal Topics
- Matrimonial Property, Withdrawal of Suit, Costs in Family Matters
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
FWW
Applicant
JKN
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Matrimonial Cause / Ruling on Oral Withdrawal Application Prior to Substantive Hearing
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant can withdraw the matrimonial cause unconditionally at this stage.
- 2 Whether the respondent can compel the applicant to proceed with the suit.
- 3 Whether costs should be awarded to either party upon withdrawal.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the applicant, having voluntarily and unconditionally sought to withdraw the suit and expressed no further interest in the subject property or relationship, could not be compelled by the respondent to proceed. The court further exercised its discretion not to award costs to either party, emphasizing the importance of promoting peace between the parties given their prior relationship. The oral application for withdrawal was allowed, the originating summons and related applications were marked as withdrawn, and each party was ordered to bear their own costs. The file was marked as closed.
Court Disposition
application withdrawn, suit marked as withdrawn, no order as to costs, file closed
Orders
- The originating summons and Notice of Motion dated 29/7/2024 are marked as withdrawn.
- Each party to bear their own costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
FWW v JKN (Matrimonial Cause E018 of 2024) [2025] KEHC 2013 (KLR) (10 February 2025) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2025] KEHC 2013 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nakuru
Matrimonial Cause E018 of 2024
PN Gichohi, J
February 10, 2025
Between
FWW
Applicant
and
JKN
Respondent
Ruling
1. The court has considered the stage at which the matter has reached. The parties lived together and had children who are now adults. The matter was coming today for purposes of compliance in regard to service of submissions, by the Respondent.
2. The Applicant had intimated that she was not filing any submissions.
3. This morning, it transpired that she was not served with the submissions. She has intimated today that she does not wish to proceed with the matter and that decision is of her own volition.
4. She wants to live in peace and has stated that she has no interest in the said property whatsoever. That she will not go back to the Respondent.
5. The Respondent has personally objected to the withdrawal on the grounds that he wants her to prove her case as she is the one who filed it.
6. His counsel has intimated that the Respondent has no objection but only seems not to understand the implication of the withdrawal which she undertakes to inform him about.
7. No party in such a case can be forced by the person sued to proceed. If one does not wish to proceed and where she puts no ties or conditions to withdrawal of the matter.
8. Counsel now seeks costs to be paid to Respondent for having responded to the application. However, the issue of costs is within the discretion of this court.
9. Considering the relationship between the Applicant and the Respondent, it is important that each lives in peace and that peace would be promoted by not awarding costs to either party.
10. In the circumstances, the Applicant’s oral application to have the entire matte marked as withdrawn is allowed.
11. Consequently, the Court makes the following orders:-1. The originating summons together with the Notice of Motion all dated 29/7/2024 be and are hereby marked as withdrawn.2. Each party to bear his own costs. 3. File marked as closed.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NAKURU THIS 10THDAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025. PATRICIA GICHOHIJUDGEIn the presence of:Applicant in personMs Kimule for RespondentRuto, Court Assistant