[2021] KEHC 9453 (KLR)
The court found, based on uncontroverted medical evidence, that TMG suffered a massive ischemic stroke resulting in aphasia and loss of cognitive ability, rendering him incapable of managing his affairs. The Mental Health Act empowers the court to appoint a guardian and manager for such a person. The petitioner, as...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 9453 (KLR)
- Parties
- Petitioner: AWN; Respondent: TMG
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Petition E006 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Constitutional Petition / Judgment
- Outcome
- Petition allowed. AWN appointed as guardian and manager of TMG's estate, with specified limitations.
- Judges
- AC Mrima
- Legal Topics
- Mental Capacity, Guardianship, Estate Management
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
AWN
Petitioner
TMG
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether TMG is a person suffering from mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act.
- 2 Whether AWN should be appointed as guardian and manager of the estate of TMG.
- 3 What powers should be conferred upon the appointed manager.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found, based on uncontroverted medical evidence, that TMG suffered a massive ischemic stroke resulting in aphasia and loss of cognitive ability, rendering him incapable of managing his affairs. The Mental Health Act empowers the court to appoint a guardian and manager for such a person. The petitioner, as the legally married spouse and primary caregiver, was found suitable for appointment. The court limited the manager's powers to exclude alienation, sale, or transfer of immovable assets but included all necessary powers for management, including access to bank accounts, to ensure the subject's welfare and estate management.
Court Disposition
Petition allowed. AWN appointed as guardian and manager of TMG's estate, with specified limitations.
Orders
- TMG declared a person suffering from mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act.
- AWN appointed as guardian and manager of TMG's estate, excluding powers of alienation, sale, or transfer of immovable assets but including powers necessary for management and access to bank accounts.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
33 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NAIROBI
CONSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIVISION
(Coram: A. C. Mrima, J.)
PETITION NO. E006 OF 2021
IN THE MATTER OF TMG (TMG)
(A Person suffering from mental disorder)
AND
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY AWN TO BE APPOINTED
GUARDIANOVER THE AFFAIS OF AND MANAGER OF THE
ESTATE OF THE SAID TMGAWN........................PETITIONER
JUDGMENT
The Petition in this matter is dated 18th December, 2020. It was brought by AWN who is the wife of one TMC (hereinafter referred to as “the subject”). It is supported by Petitioner’s Affidavit.
The Petitioner is legally married to the subject. A Certificate of Marriage which was celebration on 14th August, 2004 at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mombasa is annexed in the Affidavit. The couple are blessed with one son, IGM, born around 7 years ago. A Certificate of Birth is also annexed. The couple lives in their matrimonial home in Syokimau.
According to the Petition, the Affidavit and submissions, the subject suffered a massive ischemic stroke on the left MCA territory in February, 2020. He is currently aphasic with inability to talk and communicate coherently and is not possessed of any cognitive ability to perform any meaningful transactions.
It is deponed that the subject is under a Care-giver. The Care-giver needs to be catered for. The Petitioner avers that she is financially unable to fully cater for the needs of the family and the subject as at now.
Relying from the foregoing, the Petitioner seeks for the prayers in the Petition.
I have carefully considered the Petition, the Affidavit, the annextures and submissions.
Section 2 of the Mental Health Act defines a “person suffering from mental disorder” as follows: -
means a person who has been found to be so suffering under this Act and includes a person diagnozed as a psychopathic person with mental illness and person suffering from mental impairment due to alcohol of substance abuse.
There is on record a Medical Report by Dr. Vincent D. Wekesa, a Consultant Neurosurgeon. It is dated 2nd December, 2020. The report confirms that the subject is unable to perform any meaningful informed transaction as a result of the ischemic stroke suffered in February, 2020.
The condition has no doubt occasioned the diminution of the subject’s mental capacity and adversely affected his cognition and the ability to take care of himself and his affairs. He is currently under a Care-giver.
Having taken the totality of these matters into account and by dint of Sections 28 and 29 of the Mental Health Act, the following orders do humbly issue: -
a) This Court hereby finds that the subject, TMG, is a person suffering from mental disorder within the definition of the Mental Health Act;
b) This Court hereby appoints the Petitioner herein, AWN, as the subject’s guardian. Additionally, the Court appoints the said AWN as a Manager of the estate of the subject. For avoidance of doubt, the Manager’s powers will not include the power of alienation, sale or transfer of the subject’s immovable assets but will include all such powers as necessary for the management of such and other assets including the power to access and operate the subject’s KCB Bank Account No. […] – Moi Avenue.
c) No orders as to costs.
DELIVERED, DATEDandSIGNED atNAIROBIthis20th day of January 2021.
A. C. MRIMA
JUDGE
Judgment delivered virtually before:
Miss Otieno, Counsel for the Petitioner.
AWN, the Petitioner.