[2015] KEHC 4079 (KLR)

[2015] KEHC 4079 (KLR)

The High Court found that the trial magistrate's apportionment of liability at 50:50 between the appellant and the deceased was supported by cogent evidence. The deceased failed to exercise due care by working near live wires without seeking the appellant's assistance, while the appellant failed in its duty to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2015] KEHC 4079 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd; Respondent: Daniel Mwazea Mwenda (Suing as the legal representative/Administrator of the estate of the late Martin Mwaniki Karuku)
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Embu
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 52 of 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal
Outcome
appeal dismissed; judgment of magistrate upheld
Judges
FN Muchemi
Legal Topics
Negligence, Apportionment of Liability, Fatal Accidents, Damages Assessment
Source Language
en
Tort Law Civil Procedure Negligence Apportionment of Liability Fatal Accidents Damages Assessment

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Parties

Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd

Appellant

Daniel Mwazea Mwenda (Suing as the legal representative/Administrator of the estate of the late Martin Mwaniki Karuku)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

  1. 1 Whether the appellant was negligent and liable for the electrocution death of the deceased.
  2. 2 Whether the apportionment of liability at 50:50 between the appellant and the deceased was justified.
  3. 3 Whether the award of damages by the trial magistrate was excessive or unsupported by evidence.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that the trial magistrate's apportionment of liability at 50:50 between the appellant and the deceased was supported by cogent evidence. The deceased failed to exercise due care by working near live wires without seeking the appellant's assistance, while the appellant failed in its duty to ensure that branches encroaching on the wayleave were trimmed as part of its maintenance obligations. The court held that the appellant's responsibility extended to ensuring the safety of the wayleave and adjacent areas where branches posed a risk. The court also found that the award of damages was reasonable, as the multiplicand adopted was close to the statutory minimum wage and...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed; judgment of magistrate upheld

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed for lack of merit.
  • The judgment of the magistrate is upheld.