[2023] KEMC 254 (KLR)
The court found that the petitioner had established the grounds of desertion, adultery, and cruelty as outlined in the petition, and that the marriage had irretrievably broken down as contemplated under section 65 of the Marriage Act, 2014. The court noted the unequivocal lack of intention to salvage the marriage...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEMC 254 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: MWW; Respondent: PWW
- Court
- Magistrate's Court
- Court Station
- Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Divorce Cause E1034 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Divorce Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- petition allowed; marriage dissolved
- Judges
- JP Aduke
- Legal Topics
- Dissolution of Marriage, Grounds for Divorce, Christian Marriage, Desertion, Adultery, Cruelty
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
MWW
Applicant
PWW
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Divorce Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the marriage between the parties should be dissolved under the Marriage Act, 2014.
- 2 Whether the grounds of desertion, adultery, and cruelty have been established to warrant dissolution of marriage.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the petitioner had established the grounds of desertion, adultery, and cruelty as outlined in the petition, and that the marriage had irretrievably broken down as contemplated under section 65 of the Marriage Act, 2014. The court noted the unequivocal lack of intention to salvage the marriage and the prolonged physical separation of the parties. Relying on relevant case law, the court held that it cannot compel two adults to remain in a marriage where there is no longer love or intention to continue the union. The grounds for dissolution were satisfied, and the petition was allowed.
Court Disposition
petition allowed; marriage dissolved
Orders
- The marriage between the petitioner and respondent is hereby dissolved.
- Decree nisi to issue, to be made absolute in 30 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
MWW v PWW (Divorce Cause E1034 of 2021) [2023] KEMC 254 (KLR) (27 July 2023) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEMC 254 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
Divorce Cause E1034 of 2021
JP Aduke, SRM
July 27, 2023
Between
MWW
Petitioner
and
PWW
Respondent
Judgment
1. The Petitioner filed the petition dated 28th September 2021 seeking a divorce on the grounds of desertion, adultery and cruelty. Return of service on record shows that the respondent was served with the petition and annexures thereto. The respondent neither entered appearance nor filed a response. The petitioner filed an application seeking to have the divorce cause proceed undefended. Return of service on record shows that the petitioner served the respondent with the said application. These proceedings proceeded undefended.
2. The brief facts of the case are as contained in the petition on record. In summary, MWW AND PWW solemnized their marriage on 28th August 2010 at Hola KAG church in Tana River District, Coast, Kenya officiated by a marriage officer. Both the petitioner and respondent are domiciled in Kenya. The parties have no intentions of salvaging this marriage. The particulars of the grounds for divorce are outlined in the petition as follows:1. Desertion;2. Adultery;3. Cruelty.
3. At the hearing thereof, the petitioner relied on the petition and pleadings on record as evidence in support of the petition for divorce. Notably, the petitioner averred that the contents of the petition remained true as at the date of the hearing. The petitioner prayed for an order of dissolution of the marriage and for the respondent to pay the costs of this petition.
4. The issue of determination before this court is whether or not the marriage between the parties merits a divorce under The Marriage Act, 2014 (hereafter, the Act).
5. The applicable law is s.65(dissolution of Christian Marriages) of the Act which provides that the court may grant separation or divorce on the following grounds:1. Adultery by the other spouse.2. Cruelty by the other spouse3. Desertion by the other spouse for at least 3 years4. Exceptional depravity by the other spouse5. The irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
6. I have considered the particulars of the grounds outlined in the petition and how those have contributed to the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as contemplated under s.65 of the Act. I have also noted the length of physical separation of the couple herein, and relied on the reasoning of the court in JSM v ENB[2015]. With respect to salvage the union, I have noted the unequivocal terms of the Petition on lack of such intention. The reasoning of the court in ENC v SNK[2015] cannot be emphasized enough- “this is a marriage that appears to be on paper only, the same having irretrievably broken down on account of the desertion. The desertion has no doubt occasioned mental and emotional anguish and pain. I am therefore satisfied that the grounds for dissolution of the marriage have been established.”
7. Seeing as this court cannot force two adults to live together when there is no more love between them, I allow the petition dated 28th September 2021 on the following terms:1. The marriage between the two be and is hereby dissolved.2. Decree nisi do issue to be made absolute in 30 days.3. This being a family matter, each party to bear own costs.
Aduke Jeal Praxades AtienoSENIOR RESIDENT MAGISTRATEJUDGEMENT DATED AND SIGNED THIS 27TH JULY 2023In the presence of:1. Court Assistant: Benjamin Kombe2. Counsel for the Petitioner-3. Counsel for the Respondent: