[2018] KEHC 1650 (KLR)
The court found that the Applicants had satisfied all legal requirements for adoption under the Children Act, 2001. The child was abandoned at birth and has not been claimed by any biological relatives, making it appropriate to dispense with parental consent. Reports from the guardian ad litem and the Director of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 1650 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: J M W; Applicant: A W M
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Adoption Cause 111 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Adoption Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- adoption granted
- Legal Topics
- Adoption Procedure, Child Abandonment, Best Interests of Child
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
J M W
Applicant
A W M
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Adoption Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Applicants have met the legal requirements for adoption under the Children Act, 2001.
- 2 Whether the consent of the biological parents is required given the child was abandoned.
- 3 Whether the adoption is in the best interests of the child.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the Applicants had satisfied all legal requirements for adoption under the Children Act, 2001. The child was abandoned at birth and has not been claimed by any biological relatives, making it appropriate to dispense with parental consent. Reports from the guardian ad litem and the Director of Children’s Services confirmed the Applicants' suitability and the positive bonding and integration of the child into their family. The court determined that the adoption would serve the best interests of the child, providing him with a stable, loving, and supportive home environment. Accordingly, the court granted the adoption, appointed legal guardians, and directed the...
Court Disposition
adoption granted
Orders
- The Applicants are authorized to adopt Baby W M aka W M aka W M aka W F aka D F, who shall henceforth be known as D W W.
- S M and H W G are appointed as legal guardians of the child in the event of any eventuality.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
ADOPTION CAUSE NO. 111 OF 2016
IN THE MATTER OF THE CHILDREN ACT, 2001
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OFW F aka W M aka W M aka W F aka D F
BY
J M W…………….….…………….. 1ST APPLICANT
A W M………………………………..2ND APPLICANT
JUDGMENT
The Applicants herein sought by their Amended Originating Summons, Statement and Affidavit in support, orders allowing them to adopt Baby W M aka W M aka W M aka W F aka D F (hereinafter the child). The Applicants are 41 and 38 years old respectively married since 2009 but do not have a child of their own , however the 1st applicant has one child outside wedlock who is under the care of the maternal grandparents. The Applicants filed financial, health and clearance records that confirm that she will cater for the child’s social growth and development.
The child in this matter is presumed to have been born on 9th November 2014 and was estimated to be aged one month. A good Samaritan rescued the child abandoned at his gate in Kiritiri-Embu on 9th December 2014 who proceeded to report the matter to Kiritiri Police Station vide OB No. 28/9/12/2016.
The child was committed to New Life Children’s Home Trust Nyeri on 15th January 2015 as a child in need of Care and Protection Case No. 4 of 2015 in accordance with Section 119 of the Children Act 2001 vide the Children’s Court in Nairobi.The child has not been claimed and no guardians have surfaced since then.
The child was then placed in the custody of the Applicants for mandatory bonding prior to adoption. She has since then been in their continuous custody and care of the applicant. Change Trust issued a certificate declaring the child free for adoption pursuant to Section 156(1) of the Children Act. The said freeing certificate is Serial No. [Particulars Withheld] and the same is dated 29th August 2015 and filed their report on 10th November 2016 and recommended the adoption.
In an amended application filed on 11th July 2018 the Applicants sought orders that M W be appointed as the child’s guardian adlitemand that the Director of Children’s Services be ordered to submit a report on the applicants’ fitness to adopt the infant.
The guardian ad litem filed a report on 3rd march 2017 which favoured the proposed adoption of the child by the Applicants. Another report in respect of the proposed adoption of the child by the Applicants was prepared by the Director of Children’s Services and filed on 17th January 2017. This report was similarly in favor of the proposed adoption. Both reports filed in respect of this proposed adoption have recommended that this Court allows the Applicant to adopt the child.
This is a local adoption. It is evident that the Applicants have fulfilled all the legal requirements relative to the adoption of the child. The consents of the biological parents of the child are dispensed with in accordance to Section 159(1) (a) of the Children Act, 2001 since the child was abandoned at birth. This Court is satisfied that the Applicant is qualified and able to take care of the child. The home visits by the guardian ad litem confirm that the Applicant is indeed capable of providing for the child. The Report from the Department of the Children’s Services established that the Applicants have the financial and emotional capability to provide for the upkeep and education of the child. The child has bonded well with the Applicants and the extended family members according to the Guardian ad litem’sreport. The child has settled in very well and is quite comfortable.
After careful examination of the documents presented, it is the opinion of the court that this Adoption would be in the best interest of the child. Hence, this Court allows the Applicants’ application. The Applicants are hereby allowed to adopt Baby W M aka W M aka W M aka W F aka D Fwhowill henceforth be known as D W W (D W W). He is presumed to be a Kenyan Citizen by birth. S M and H W G, 1st applicant’s brother and sister in law are hereby appointed as the legal guardian of the child should any eventuality arise. This Court directs the Registrar General to duly enter this order in the Adoption Children Register. The guardian ad litem is hereby discharged.
It is so ordered.
DELIVERED DATED & SIGNED IN OPEN COURT ON 20TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2018.
M.W.MUIGAI
JUDGE FAMILY DIVISION –HIGH COURT