[2019] KEHC 10004 (KLR)
The court found that the applicants satisfied all statutory requirements for local adoption under the Children Act. The applicants demonstrated emotional and financial stability, good health, and a supportive family environment. The child, abandoned and unclaimed, had bonded well with the applicants, who had cared...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 10004 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: LKN; Applicant: EWN
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kiambu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Adoption Cause 21 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Adoption Application / Judgment
- Outcome
- adoption granted
- Judges
- CW Meoli
- Legal Topics
- Adoption Procedure, Best Interest of Child, Abandoned Children
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
LKN
Applicant
EWN
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Adoption Application / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicants meet the legal requirements for adoption under the Children Act.
- 2 Whether granting the adoption is in the best interest of the child as required by law.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicants satisfied all statutory requirements for local adoption under the Children Act. The applicants demonstrated emotional and financial stability, good health, and a supportive family environment. The child, abandoned and unclaimed, had bonded well with the applicants, who had cared for him since November 2016. Reports from the guardian ad litem, the Children Services Department, and the adoption society all recommended the adoption. The court emphasized that the best interest of the child is the guiding principle, and determined that granting the adoption would serve the child's welfare and provide him with a stable, loving family. Accordingly, the court...
Court Disposition
adoption granted
Orders
- Prayers 1 to 5 of the Originating Summons filed on 21st November, 2017 are granted.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KIAMBU
ADOPTION CASE NO 21 OF 2017
IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF BABY K. W.
BY
LKN..................................................................1ST APPLICANT
EMM...............................................................2ND APPLICANT
J U D G M E N T
1. The Applicants are LKN and EWN a married couple aged over 40 years. They were married under Kikuyu custom since 2016 but solemnized the union in church in December, 2016. The Applicants wish to adopt baby KW aka MN,a male child. The Applicants are Christians and subscribe to the Catholic faith. They are employed in [particulars withheld] Ltd and reside at [particulars withheld] estate, Thika Road.
2. According to the material on record, the child herein was found abandoned at Dandora Phase II on 21st February 2016 by a good Samaritan, who took him to Dandora Police Station where the report was booked vide O.B. No. [particulars withheld]/2/2016. On the next day the child was admitted to Imani Children’s Home. Subsequently on 16th August 2016, he was committed to the home by the order of the Children’s Court Nairobi, in Protection and Care Case No.218 of 2016. His presumed date of birth is 22nd April 2015.
3. Nobody has come forward to claim him and on 6th September 2016 the adoption society K.K.P.I. declared him available for adoption vide Certificate No. [particulars withheld]. His parents are unknown therefore the child was released into the care of the Applicants pursuant to a care agreement executed on 13th November 2016. He has remained in the couple’s care since then. Pursuant to the order of this court, reports were prepared by the guardian and litem, MNK and by the Children’s Department. Also on record is the social enquiry report by KKPI adoption society.
4. The reports contain that the Applicants are emotionally and financially stable and capable of providing for the upkeep and education of the child. According to the Director of Children Services the Applicants have bounded well with the child and have the support of their extended families. The Applicants do not have their own biological children, and their motivation for the adoption is to have their own child. They have properties acquired through their various economic activities and desire to have an heir. Both the guardianand litem and director of Children Services recommend the adoption.
5. In considering the adoption application, the court is obligated to uphold the best interest of the child (see Article 53(2) of the Constitution and Section 4(3) of the Children Act.
6. The Applicants herein appear to satisfy the requirements for a local adoption under the Children Act and have proven their capacity, prior to adoption, to take care of the child. The child has already been enrolled in school and appears to have bonded with the adoptive parents. The Applicants are in good health, are socially integrated and financially secure. Reviewing all the relevant matters, the court is satisfied that it is in the best interest of the child to grant the adoption sought.
7. In the circumstances, I hereby grant prayers 1 to 5 of the Originating Summons filed on 21st November, 2017.
DELIVERED AND SIGNED AT KIAMBU THIS 15TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2019
C. MEOLI
JUDGE
In the Presence of:-
Mr. Odek holding brief for Mr. Kamenju for the Applicants
Court clerk - Kevin
C MEOL