[2018] KEHC 3316 (KLR)
The court found that the applicants fulfilled all statutory requirements for adoption under the Children’s Act, including age, marital status, and financial capability. The biological parents had freely and validly consented to the adoption, and the child had been declared free for adoption by the relevant...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 3316 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: D M M; Applicant: I W M; Guardian Ad Litem: J M M
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nyeri
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Adoption Cause 18 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Adoption Cause / Ruling on Originating Summons for Adoption Order
- Outcome
- application for adoption allowed
- Legal Topics
- Adoption Procedure, Consent to Adoption, Child Welfare, Guardianship, Best Interests of Child
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
D M M
Applicant
I W M
Applicant
J M M
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 baby R R alias M R.
- 2 Whether the consent of the biological parents is valid and sufficient for the adoption.
- 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 under the Children’s Act, including age, marital status, and financial capability. The biological parents had freely and validly consented to the adoption, and the child had been declared free for adoption by the relevant authority. The social enquiry report and court’s own observations confirmed the applicants’ suitability and the existence of a strong emotional bond with the child. The court concluded that granting the adoption order would serve the best interests of the child, providing him with a stable, loving, and supportive family environment.
Court Disposition
application for adoption allowed
Orders
- The applicants D M M and I W M are authorized to adopt baby R R alias M R, who shall be known as S M M.
- 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. 18 OF 2015 (OS)
IN THE MATTER OF BABY R R alias M R (CHILD)
AND
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION ORDER BY
D M M & I W M
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 10th day of November, 2015. The applicants seek the following Orders;
(a) That J M M be appointed as guardian ad litem herein;
(b) That the applicants D M M & I W Mbe authorized to adopt baby R R alias M R;
(c) That the Honorable Court do adopt the parents legal consent over the child;
2. The baby was born on the 10th June, 2016 and the baby’s biological father and mother are known and they have both consented and freely surrendered their child for adoption by appending their signatures to the Consent to Adoption Form on the 24th day of September, 2014; and have thereby disclaimed all their rights over the child;
3. Under the Protection and Care Case No.158 of 2014 the Children’s Court at Nairobi committed baby RR alias MR to the institution known as New Life Kilimani Children’s Home for a period of three (3) months for protection and care and he was declared free for adoption under Section 156(1) of the Children's Act and a Certificate Serial Number [particulars withheld] was issued by the Little Angels Network.
4. The Guardian Ad LitemJ M Mwas appointed on the 20th March, 2017and the Nyeri County Director of Children's Services after visiting and interrogating the applicants filed a favorable Social Enquiry Report in court on the 20th March, 2017on the applicants’ suitability to adopt baby R R alias M R.
5. After reading and taking into consideration the contents of this report and satisfying myself that all the legal requirements had been adhered it is noted that; the applicants are married and legalized their marriage on the 1st November, 2007 at the PCEA Church [name withheld] Church; at the time of filing this application D M Mwas aged 45 years& I W M was aged 45years; and therefore both their ages fall within the prescribed legal parameters; they have no other children and are desirous of adopting baby R R alias M R;
6. The Certificates of Good Conduct are current and valid and this court is satisfied that there are no adverse circumstances discernible from the applicant’s families or any individual characteristics or lifestyle that would be detrimental to the baby;
7. DMM is a lecturer at [name withheld] University and IWM is a graduate teacher employed by the Teachers Service Commission and both reside and work in Nyeri County; they have annexed their payslips and bank statements which establish their financial standing and suitability; which demonstrates that the applicants are capable of providing the baby with the necessary care;
8. Also upon observing the applicants with the child at the court session this court noted the existence of an emotional bonding between the child and the applicants which must have grown since the child was placed in the applicant’s care; the child appears to be happy, healthy and well taken care of.
9. For the reasons stated above this court is satisfied that the applicants are suitable persons to adopt Baby R R alias M R; and that they have the resources to provide and take care of baby RR alias MR;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 R R alias M R; he shall be known as S M M.
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 S M M.
13. The Guardian ad Litem is hereby discharged and is hereby appointed as Legal Guardian until baby S M Mattains the age of majority of eighteen (18) years.
Orders Accordingly.
Dated, Signed and Delivered at Nyeri this 19TH day of July, 2018.
HON.A.MSHILA
JUDGE