[2023] KENET 1253 (KLR)
The Tribunal determined that, since the appellant was self-represented, the Advocates Act and the Advocate (Remuneration) Order do not apply. Instead, the appellant is entitled to recover only actual, reasonable, and evidenced expenses incurred in the course of the proceedings. The Tribunal examined each item in the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KENET 1253 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Catherine Njoki Muchiri; Respondent: Ministerial Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee
- Court
- National Environment Tribunal - Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Tribunal Appeal 53 of 2020
- Procedural Posture
- Tribunal Appeal / Ruling on Taxation of Costs
- Outcome
- Bill of Costs taxed in favor of the appellant for Kshs. 34,400.
- Judges
- Emmanuel Mumia, Winnie Tsuma, Kariuki Muigua, Duncan Kuria, Ronald Allamano
- Legal Topics
- Costs Taxation, Self Represented Litigants, Wildlife Compensation, Bill of Costs
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Catherine Njoki Muchiri
Appellant
Ministerial Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Tribunal Appeal / Ruling on Taxation of Costs
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the appellant, as a self-represented litigant, is entitled to costs and the applicable basis for taxation.
- 2 Whether the items claimed in the Bill of Costs are reasonable and sufficiently supported by evidence.
Ratio Decidendi
The Tribunal determined that, since the appellant was self-represented, the Advocates Act and the Advocate (Remuneration) Order do not apply. Instead, the appellant is entitled to recover only actual, reasonable, and evidenced expenses incurred in the course of the proceedings. The Tribunal examined each item in the Bill of Costs, found the claims for transport, accommodation, service, and paperwork to be reasonable and supported by documentation, and taxed them as prayed. The claim for compensation award interest was declined as it would be addressed in the final decree. The total sum of Kshs. 34,400 was allowed as costs in favor of the appellant.
Court Disposition
Bill of Costs taxed in favor of the appellant for Kshs. 34,400.
Orders
- Compensation Award Interest taxed at Kshs. 0.
- Travel and accommodation fees taxed at Kshs. 10,400.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
28 paragraphs
Muchiri v Ministerial Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee (Tribunal Appeal 53 of 2020) [2023] KENET 1253 (KLR) (Environment and Land) (9 November 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KENET 1253 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the National Environment Tribunal - Nairobi
Environment and Land
Tribunal Appeal 53 of 2020
Emmanuel Mumia, Chair, Winnie Tsuma, Vice Chair, Kariuki Muigua, Duncan Kuria & Ronald Allamano, Members
November 9, 2023
Between
Catherine Njoki Muchiri
Appellant
and
The Ministerial Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee
Respondent
Ruling
1. On 28th September, 2022, the Tribunal allowed the Intended Appellant/Applicant’s Notice of Appeal by setting aside the decision of the Ministerial Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee, with costs to the Appellant.
2. The Appellant then submitted her Bill of Costs in accordance with the requirements of Rule 39(1) of the NET Procedure Rules 2003.
3. The record does not reflect the Respondent's response to the aforementioned Bill of Costs.
4. It is important to note that the Appellant herein is not an advocate and was representing themselves. Subsequently it follows that the provisions of section 44 of the Advocates Act and the Advocate (Remuneration) Order, 2014 made therein shall not be applicable in this taxation.
Computation of Costs 5. It thus follows that the costs herein are to only compensate for troubles the Appellant has gone through defending the suit and restoring her position as it were prior to the lodging of the suit. See the case of Rosemary Wairimu Munene Ex-parte Applicant v Ihururu Party Farmers’ Cooperative Society J.R. No. 4/2014 as cited in the case of Cecilia Karuru Ngayu v Barclays Bank of Kenya & Another [2016] eKLR.
6. The said costs in this instance must be proved by way either by way of receipts of any such proof that shall be sufficient.
7. With regard to our discretion to issue cost orders under Section 129 (3) (c) of the EMCA and Rule 39 of the National Environment Tribunal Procedure Rules, 2003, we have determined the following for each itemized cost listed in the Appellant's Bill of Costs, which is valued at Kshs. 34,400:
Compensation award interest 8. In regards to Item I on compensation award interest, this Tribunal shall not make any orders as the same shall be covered under the respective decree that shall ensue.
Transportation expenses 9. Item 2 seeks for Transport to Nairobi from Narok and Accommodation and breakfast thereof at Kshs 5,000 and Kshs. 5,400 respectively the total is Kshs.10, 400. 00 the said amount is reasonable and duly supported and thus hereby taxed as prayed
Accommodation expenses 10. Item 3 (i) seeks for payment to court server to serve mention notice to the Ministry of Wildlife thereof at Kshs. 10,000 the same is supported by sufficient documentation and thus taxed as prayed. Item 3(ii) is also taxed as prayed at Kshs. 10,000. Total amount taxed under item 3 is Kshs. 20,000.
Paperwork and photocopies 11. Item 4seeks for a sum of Kshs. 4,000 for paperwork, photocopies and phone calls throughout the court process. Having reviewed the documents filed herein the same is reasonable and thus taxed as prayed.
Order 12. The Tribunal makes the following orders:The Bill of Costs is taxed as follows:i.Compensation Award Interest –Kshs.0. 0/=ii.Travel and accommodation fees- Kshs.10,400/=iii.Service, and transport and accommodation fees-Kshs. 20,000/=iv.Photocopy-Kshs.4,000/=Total Sum Kshs. =34,400/=
DATED AND DELIVERED AT NAIROBI, THIS 9TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023EMMANUEL MUMIA - CHAIRMANWINNIE TSUMA - VICE-CHAIRKARIUKI MUIGUA - MEMBERDUNCAN KURIA - MEMBERRONALD ALLAMANO - MEMBER