[2016] KEHC 1119 (KLR)

[2016] KEHC 1119 (KLR)

The court found that the Likoni Channel ferry operations, being part of an international waterway and marine navigational system, remain a function of the national government and have not been devolved to the county government. The assets and revenue-generating activities developed by the Petitioner are integral to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2016] KEHC 1119 (KLR)
Parties
Petitioner: Kenya Ferry Services Limited; Respondent: Mombasa County Government; Interested Party: Attorney General (for and on behalf of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee); Interested Party: My Space Properties Ltd
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Mombasa
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Constitutional Petition 9 of 2016
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Judgment
Outcome
Petition allowed with costs to the Petitioner. Declaratory and prohibitory orders granted. Respondent to refund and account for collected revenues and hand over operations to the Petitioner.
Legal Topics
Devolution of Functions, Right to Property, County Transport Powers, Intergovernmental Relations, Public Corporations, Administrative Action
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Administrative Law Land and Property Devolution of Functions Right to Property County Transport Powers Intergovernmental Relations Public Corporations +1 more

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Parties

Kenya Ferry Services Limited

Petitioner

Mombasa County Government

Respondent

Attorney General (for and on behalf of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee)

Interested Party

My Space Properties Ltd

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Constitutional Petition / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the functions and assets of Kenya Ferry Services Limited relating to ferry operations at Likoni Channel have been devolved to the Mombasa County Government under the Constitution and relevant statutes.
  2. 2 Whether the Respondent's takeover of the Petitioner's facilities and revenue-generating activities was unconstitutional and a breach of the Petitioner's right to property.
  3. 3 Whether the Petition was fatally defective for lack of authority under seal from the Petitioner's board.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the Likoni Channel ferry operations, being part of an international waterway and marine navigational system, remain a function of the national government and have not been devolved to the county government. The assets and revenue-generating activities developed by the Petitioner are integral to its core function and are protected property under Article 40 of the Constitution. The Respondent's unilateral takeover of these facilities and revenues was unconstitutional, violated the Petitioner's right to property, and disregarded the prescribed legal framework for transfer of functions and assets between levels of government. The court rejected the Respondent's procedural...

Court Disposition

Petition allowed with costs to the Petitioner. Declaratory and prohibitory orders granted. Respondent to refund and account for collected revenues and hand over operations to the Petitioner.

Orders

  • Declaration that the Petitioner's right to property and fair administrative action was breached by the Respondent.
  • Declaration that the Respondent's actions to take over ancillary activities, powers, duties, and obligations of the Petitioner are inconsistent with the Ferries Act, Companies Act, Legal Notice No. 152 of 2013, and the Constitution.