[2023] KEMC 145 (KLR)
The court found that the petitioner had established the grounds for dissolution of the marriage as set out in section 65 of the Marriage Act, 2014, specifically irretrievable breakdown, adultery, and cruelty. The court noted the absence of any intention to salvage the marriage and the length of physical separation....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEMC 145 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: GMK; Respondent: AMN
- Court
- Magistrate's Court
- Court Station
- Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Divorce Cause E890 of 2022
- Procedural Posture
- Divorce Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- petition allowed; marriage dissolved
- Judges
- JP Aduke
- Legal Topics
- Dissolution of Marriage, Irretrievable Breakdown, Adultery, Cruelty
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
GMK
Applicant
AMN
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Divorce Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the marriage between the parties merits an order of divorce under the Marriage Act, 2014.
- 2 Whether the grounds of irretrievable breakdown, adultery, and cruelty have been established.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the petitioner had established the grounds for dissolution of the marriage as set out in section 65 of the Marriage Act, 2014, specifically irretrievable breakdown, adultery, and cruelty. The court noted the absence of any intention to salvage the marriage and the length of physical separation. Relying on relevant case law, the court held that it cannot compel parties to remain married where the union has broken down and one party seeks dissolution. The petition was undefended, and the evidence presented by the petitioner was uncontroverted. Accordingly, the court granted the order for dissolution of the marriage.
Court Disposition
petition allowed; marriage dissolved
Orders
- The marriage between the parties is hereby dissolved.
- Decree nisi to issue and be made absolute in 30 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
GMK v AMN (Divorce Cause E890 of 2022) [2023] KEMC 145 (KLR) (17 May 2023) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEMC 145 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
Divorce Cause E890 of 2022
JP Aduke, SRM
May 17, 2023
Between
GMK
Petitioner
and
AMN
Respondent
Judgment
1. The Petitioner filed the petition dated 21st July 2022 seeking a divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, adultery and cruelty. Return of service on record shows that the respondent was served with the petition and annexures thereto. The respondent neither entered appearance nor filed a response. The petitioner filed an application seeking to have the petition proceed undefended. Return of service on record shows the petitioner served the respondent with the said application. These proceedings proceeded undefended.
2. The brief facts of the case are as contained in para 1-20 of the petition on record. In summary, GMK and AMN solemnized their marriage on 25th October 2003 in Church in Kenya. The petition is silent on whether or not there are any issues from the union. Both the Petitioner and respondent are domiciled in Kenya. The parties have no intentions of salvaging this marriage. The particulars of the grounds for divorce are outlined in the petition as follows:1. Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage;2. Cruelty;
3. Adultery; 3. At the hearing thereof, the petitioner relied on his petition and verifying affidavit on record as evidence in support of the petition for divorce. Notably, the petitioner averred that the contents of the petition remained true as at the date of the hearing. He prayed for an order of dissolution of the marriage.
4. The issue for determination before this court is whether or not the marriage between the parties merits an order of divorce under The Marriage Act, 2014 (hereafter, the Act).
5. The applicable law is s.65 of the Act (on dissolution of Christian marriages) which provides that the court may grant separation or divorce on the following grounds:1. adultery by the other spouse;2. cruelty by the other spouse;3. exceptional depravity by the other spouse;4. desertion by the other spouse for at least 3 years;5. the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
6. I have considered the particulars of the grounds outlined in the petition and how those have contributed to the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as contemplated under s.65 of the Act. I have also noted the length of physical separation of the couple herein and relied on the reasoning of the court in JSM vs ENB[2015]. With respect to intention to salvage the union, I have noted the unequivocal terms of para 17 of the Petition on lack of such intention. The reasoning of the court in ROK v MJB and TPH v NVS 2017 eklr cannot be emphasized enough-“marriage is a voluntary union……this court cannot by any means order or compel the parties to remain married when the petitioner has categorically stated that she wants the same dissolved…”
7. Seeing as this court cannot force two adults to live together when there is no more love between them, I allow the petition dated 21st July 2022 before me on the following terms:1. the marriage between the two be and is hereby dissolved.2. Decree nisi do issue to be made absolute in 30 days.3. This being a family matter, each party to bear own costs.
ADUKE JEAL PRAXADES ATIENOSENIOR RESIDENT MAGISTRATEJUDGEMENT DATED AND SIGNED THIS 17TH MAY 2023. In the presence of:1. Court Assistant: Benjamin Kombe2. Counsel for the Petitioner- N/A3. Counsel for the Respondent: N/A