[2013] KEHC 724 (KLR)
The court found that the preliminary objection raised by the respondent did not meet the threshold of raising pure points of law as established in the Mukisa Biscuit case. Instead, it raised questions of fact that could only be determined through an evidentiary hearing. Consequently, the court held that the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 724 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Janet Kerubo Nyaberi; Respondent: Alexander S. Mwanzala
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Civil Application 1 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
- Outcome
- preliminary objection dismissed
- Judges
- JV Juma
- Legal Topics
- Preliminary Objection, Pure Point of Law, Striking Out Pleadings
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Janet Kerubo Nyaberi
Applicant
Alexander S. Mwanzala
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the preliminary objection raises pure points of law as required by law.
- 2 Whether the originating summons filed by the applicant is defective and should be struck out.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the preliminary objection raised by the respondent did not meet the threshold of raising pure points of law as established in the Mukisa Biscuit case. Instead, it raised questions of fact that could only be determined through an evidentiary hearing. Consequently, the court held that the preliminary objection was without merit and dismissed it with costs to the applicant.
Court Disposition
preliminary objection dismissed
Orders
- The preliminary objection dated 6th May, 2013 is dismissed with costs to the applicant.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
14 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MOMBASA
MISC. CIVIL APPL. NO. 1 OF 2013
JANET KERUBO NYABERI………………….………………APPLICANT
VERSUS
ALEXANDER S. MWANZALA…..………………………RESPONDENT
RULING
This ruling concerns a preliminary objection dated 6th May, 2013 seeking orders inter alia that the originating summons filed on 15th February, 2013 by the applicant is totally defective and should be struck out. I have carefully considered the said preliminary objection and I have also taken into consideration the written submissions filed by both parties. It is well settled that a preliminary objection may only be raised on matters of law not on matters of fact that require proof by way of evidence. In the case of MUKISA BISCUIT MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED VS. WEST END DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED it was held as follows:
“A preliminary objection is in the nature of what used to be a demurer. It raises a pure point of law which is argued on the assumption that all the facts pleaded by the other side are correct. It cannot be raised if any fact has to be ascertained or if what is sought is the exercise of judicial discretion. The improper raising of points by way of preliminary objection does nothing but unnecessarily increase costs and, on occasion confuse the issues. This improper practice should stop.”
I have looked at this preliminary objection and I find that it does not raise pure points of law. It clearly raises questions of fact which can only be determined through an evidentiary hearing. I find no merit in this preliminary objection and the same is hereby dismissed with costs to the applicant.
Dated and delivered in Mombasa this 16th day of December, 2013
M. ODERO
JUDGE