[2020] KEHC 341 (KLR)
The court found that the applicants fulfilled all statutory requirements for adoption, including age, marital status, and financial capability. The child had been abandoned, and despite reasonable efforts, the biological mother could not be traced, justifying the dispensation of her consent. The child had been...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 341 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: GGK; Applicant: RNG; Guardian Ad Litem: FKC
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nyeri
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Adoption Cause 10 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Adoption Cause / Ruling on Originating Summons for Adoption Order
- Outcome
- application for adoption allowed
- Legal Topics
- Adoption Procedure, Child Abandonment, Dispensation of Parental Consent
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
GGK
Applicant
RNG
Applicant
FKC
Guardian Ad Litem
Procedural Posture
Adoption Cause / Ruling on Originating Summons for Adoption Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicants meet the legal requirements to adopt the child.
- 2 Whether the consent of the biological mother can be dispensed with due to abandonment.
- 3 Whether the adoption is in the best interests of the child.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicants fulfilled all statutory requirements for adoption, including age, marital status, and financial capability. The child had been abandoned, and despite reasonable efforts, the biological mother could not be traced, justifying the dispensation of her consent. The child had been declared free for adoption, and social inquiry reports confirmed the applicants’ suitability. The court observed a strong emotional bond between the applicants and the child, and no adverse circumstances were identified. The adoption was determined to be in the best interests of the child, warranting the granting of the adoption order and related directions.
Court Disposition
application for adoption allowed
Orders
- The applicants are authorized to adopt baby LC alias MKG, who shall be known as MKG.
- The Registrar General is directed to enter this adoption order in the Adoption Register.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
32 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NYERI
ADOPTION CAUSE NO. 10 OF 2018 (OS)
IN THE MATTER OF BABY MP Alias MM Alias JW (CHILD)
AND
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION ORDER BY
GGK & RNG
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE CHILDREN’S ACT
RULING
1. The application is brought by way of an Originating Summons and is dated the 19th day of February, 2018. The applicant seeks the following Orders;
a. That FKCbe appointed as guardian ad litem herein;
b. That the applicant GGK & RNGbe authorized to adopt BABY LC alias MKG;
c. That the Honorable Court do dispense with the mother’s consentas she had abandoned the child at Kabati Estate in Naivasha within Nakuru County;
2. The baby who is male was born on the 18th March, 2014 and was found abandoned by his biological mother within Kabati Estate near the Kabati mosque; the baby was first taken to the Naivasha District Hospital and the case of abandonment was later reported to the Naivasha Police Station vide OB No.[…]; efforts to trace the biological mother have borne no fruits; given these circumstances this court will dispense with the consent of the biological mother;
3. The baby was admitted to the Limuru Children’s Centre, Limuru for care and protection whilst awaiting committal; under the Protection and Care Case No. 105 of 2015 the Children’s Court at Naivasha committed baby LC alias MKGto the aforesaid institution for a period of three (3) years for protection and care and on the 10/06/2016 he was declared free for adoption under Section 156(1) of the Children's Act and a Certificate Serial Number 00125 was issued by the Change Trust.
4. The Guardian Ad Litem FKCwas appointed on the 28/02/2018and after visiting and interrogating the applicant’s the Nyeri County Director of Children's Services filed a favorable Social Enquiry Report dated the 21/12/2018 and filed in court on the 29/01/2019on the applicants’ suitability to adopt baby LC alias MKG;
5. After reading and taking into consideration the contents of this report and satisfying myself that all the legal requirements had been adhered notably; that the applicants were married under customary law on the 13/06/2001 and the marriage was solemnized in 2011; at the time of filing this application GGKwas aged 60 years whereasRNGwas aged 47 years; and therefore both their ages fall within the prescribed legal parameters; the applicants disclosed that they had two (2) adult children gotten by the 1st applicant from his marriage with one BW (deceased); that they also have another adopted female child aged eight (8) years and nine months who was in Class 4 at the [particulars withheld] Academy; the 1st applicant has a long standing record of protecting vulnerable and needy children and providing alternative family care inclusive of adoption; having adopted their first daughter they are eagerly awaiting to adopt their second child Michael, a son;
6. GGKis a retired former Provincial Director of [particulars withheld] and currently in private business; as RNG is a committed church member and is involved in the Women’s Ministry and holds the positions Choir Director, Youth Leader and Head deaconess; she supplements the family income through her business activities which includes tailoring work; they annexed their bank statements to demonstrate their financial standing and suitability; these documents demonstrate that the applicants are capable of providing the baby with the necessary care and support;
7. The child has been under the care of the applicants since the 3/10/2016 and upon observing the applicants with the child during the court session this court noted the existence of a strong emotional bonding between the child and the applicants which must have grown since the child was placed in the applicants’ care; the child appears to be happy, healthy and well taken care of.
8. The Certificate of Good Conduct is current and valid and this court is satisfied that there are no adverse circumstances discernible from the families of the applicant or any individual characteristics or lifestyle that would be detrimental to the baby;
9. For the reasons stated above this court is satisfied that the applicants are suitable persons to adopt Baby LC alias MKG; that they have the resources to provide and take care of LC alias MKG;and that the order for adoption will be in the best interest of the baby.
DETERMINATION
10. The application for adoption is hereby allowed;
11. The applicants are hereby allowed to adopt baby LC alias MKG; he shall be known as MKG.
12. The Registrar General is hereby directed to enter this adoption order in the Adoption Register; the Registrar Births and Deaths is hereby directed to issue a Certificate of Birth in the name MKG.
13. The Guardian ad Litem is hereby discharged and is hereby appointed as Legal Guardian until baby MKGattains the age of majority of eighteen (18) years.
Orders Accordingly.
Dated, Signed and Delivered at Nyeri this 6th day of April 2020.
HON.A.MSHILA
JUDGE