[2011] KEHC 2882 (KLR)
The court found that the proposed apportionment of the decretal amount—30% to the administrator and 70% to the two minor beneficiaries—was reasonable. However, in accordance with Order 27 rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Rules, the court directed that the minors' shares be paid to the Public Trustee for investment and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2011] KEHC 2882 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Joyce Wangari Kamau; Applicant: Joseph Ndungu Ngugi; Respondent: Stephen Mwangi Gichuhi; Respondent: Bernard Gathura Muaga
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Suit 519 of 2008
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Apportionment and Payment of Decretal Sum to Beneficiaries
- Outcome
- application allowed with variations
- Judges
- GMA Dulu
- Legal Topics
- Estate Administration, Apportionment of Decretal Sum, Minor Beneficiaries, Public Trustee Payments
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Joyce Wangari Kamau
Applicant
Joseph Ndungu Ngugi
Applicant
Stephen Mwangi Gichuhi
Respondent
Bernard Gathura Muaga
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Notice of Motion for Apportionment and Payment of Decretal Sum to Beneficiaries
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should grant leave to the 1st plaintiff to receive the decretal amount on behalf of the minor beneficiaries.
- 2 How the decretal amount should be apportioned among the administrator and the minor beneficiaries.
- 3 Whether the minors' shares should be paid to the Public Trustee or managed otherwise.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the proposed apportionment of the decretal amount—30% to the administrator and 70% to the two minor beneficiaries—was reasonable. However, in accordance with Order 27 rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Rules, the court directed that the minors' shares be paid to the Public Trustee for investment and management for their benefit, rather than directly to the administrator or into joint accounts. The administrator's share was to be released to her directly. The court exercised its discretion to ensure the minors' interests were protected, while allowing the administrator to receive her portion. Costs were ordered to be in the cause.
Court Disposition
application allowed with variations
Orders
- The decretal amount is apportioned: 30% to Joyce Wangari Kamau (administrator), 35% each to Ann Wanjiru Kamau and Eric Kamau (minor beneficiaries).
- Apportionment to be effected after payment of advocates' fees, which if not agreed, will be taxed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
36 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NAIROBI
CIVIL SUIT NUMBER 519 OF 2008
JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU & JOSEPH NDUNGU NGUGI
(suing as the Administrators of the estate of
SAMUEL KAMAU MACHARIA. …….............…………… PLAINTIFF/APPLICANT
VERSUS
STEPHEN MWANGI GICHUHI................………… 1ST DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
BERNARD GATHURA MUAG…................……… 2ND DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT
R U L I N G
Before me is a Notice of Motion dated 27th January, 2011 filed on behalf of the Plaintiffs/applicants who are administrators of the estate of the late Samuel Kamau Macharia. The applicants (administrators) are JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU and JOSEPH NDUNGU NGUGI. The respondents are named as STEPHEN MWANGI GICHUHI and BERNARD GATHURA MUAGA.
The application was brought under section 3A and 63 of the Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21 Laws of Kenya) and Order 32 Rule 6 as well as order 51 Rules 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules 2010. The prayers in the application are as follows: -
1. THAT this Honourable court be pleased to grant leave to the 1st plaintiff to receive the decretal amount on behalf of two minor beneficiaries, ANN WANJIRU KAMAU and ERIC KAMAU.
2. THAT the decretal amount be apportioned as between the administrator JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU and the two minor beneficiaries ANN WANJIRU KAMAUandERIC KAMAU in the ratio 30:70 after payment of their advocates fees and disbursements.
3. THAT the decretal amounts in favour of the two minor beneficiaries ANNE WANJIRU KAMAU and ERIC KAMAU, be shared equally between them and deposited in their Kenya Post Office Savings Bank accounts of Account Numbers KAACJTA 0001913 and KAACJTA 0001905 respectively.
4. THAT costs of this application be provided for.
There are grounds on the face of the Notice of Motion. The application was filed with a supporting affidavit sworn on 28th January 2011 by JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU, one of the plaintiffs/applicants.
The application is partly opposed. A replying affidavit sworn on 16th February 2011 by Beatrice Ngatunyi advocate for the defendants/respondents was filed. It was deponed in the said affidavit that the payment of the portion of the wife of the late to her was proper. However, the two minors’ share would in terms of Order 27 rule 10 (2) of the Civil Procedure Rules, have to be paid to the Public Trustee.
At the hearing of the application, Mr. Thimba appeared for the plaintiffs/applicants. Counsel contended that they would agree with the defendants’ and that they would open separate interest earning accounts for the two Children. Ms Kamande for the defendants supported the proposed apportionment, but stated that the portion for the two minors’ share be deposited in an interest earning account in the joint names of the Deputy Registrar and the mother of the minors, who is the first plaintiff/applicant.
Having considered the application, documents filed and submission, I will allow the application, subject to certain variations.
Under the provisions of Order 27 rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Rules 2010, the portion of the money for the minors is to be paid to the Public Trustee, unless the court directs otherwise. In any event, such money is to be used for the maintenance and education or otherwise for the benefit of the minors. The portion for the two children herein is proposed to be 70%, which I consider to be reasonable portion. Between them, each will get 35% of the decretal amount.
Considering the above, I will allow the application and order as follows: -
1. The decretal amount herein is apportioned between the administrator JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU and two minor beneficiaries ANN WANJIRU KAMAU and ERIC KAMAU. The administrator JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU will get 30% of the decretal sum. Each of the minor beneficiaries will get 35% of the decretal sum.
2. The above apportionment will be paid after payment of their advocates fees, which if not agreed will be taxed.
3. The portion for the administrator JOYCE WANGARI KAMAU will be released to her.
4. The respective portions for the two minor beneficiaries will be paid to the Public Trustee who will invest and manage same in accordance with the law. Liberty to the Public Trustee to apply.
5. Costs in the cause.
Dated and delivered at Nairobi this 7th day of March 2011.
………………………………………….
GEORGE DULU
JUDGE
In the Presence of
Mr. Mbaluto holding brief for Mr. Thimba for applicant
Ms Kamande for respondent
C Muendo – court clerk