[2023] KEMC 211 (KLR)
The court found that liability had already been determined by interlocutory judgment due to the defendants' failure to defend the suit. The only issue for determination was the quantum of damages. The plaintiff provided documentary evidence supporting his claim for special damages, including assessment and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEMC 211 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Stephen Ndungu Njoroge; Defendant: Bassanio Mwenda Chokera; Defendant: John Ndungu Kimani
- Court
- Magistrate's Court
- Court Station
- Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Suit 1291 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Judgment After Formal Proof; Interlocutory Judgment on Liability
- Outcome
- Judgment for the plaintiff.
- Judges
- JP Aduke
- Legal Topics
- Road Traffic Accidents, Negligence, Special Damages, Quantum of Damages
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Stephen Ndungu Njoroge
Plaintiff
Bassanio Mwenda Chokera
Defendant
John Ndungu Kimani
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment After Formal Proof; Interlocutory Judgment on Liability
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plaintiff proved special damages as pleaded.
- 2 What quantum of damages is payable to the plaintiff.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that liability had already been determined by interlocutory judgment due to the defendants' failure to defend the suit. The only issue for determination was the quantum of damages. The plaintiff provided documentary evidence supporting his claim for special damages, including assessment and inspection reports, receipts, and payment requisitions. The court applied the settled principle that special damages must be pleaded and proved, and found that the plaintiff had proved special damages in the sum of KES 118,250. The court awarded this amount, together with costs and interest at court rates, in favour of the plaintiff.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the plaintiff.
Orders
- Plaintiff awarded special damages of KES 118,250.
- Plaintiff awarded costs of the suit.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
Njoroge v Chokera & another (Civil Suit 1291 of 2019) [2023] KEMC 211 (KLR) (31 August 2023) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEMC 211 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
Civil Suit 1291 of 2019
JP Aduke, SRM
August 31, 2023
Between
Stephen Ndungu Njoroge
Plaintiff
and
Bassanio Mwenda Chokera
1st Defendant
John Ndungu Kimani
2nd Defendant
Judgment
1. The Plaintiff filed this suit against the defendants following a road traffic accident on 22nd February 2017 along Limuru Road, Thika. In the plaint filed on 04th March 2019, the plaintiff avers his driver was driving motor vehicle registration number KAU 326E when the Defendant and his servant/agent/authorized driver of motor vehicle registration number KCD 067D negligently and carelessly drove the said motor vehicle, caused it to lose control and ram into KAU 326E causing damage to the plaintiff’s car.
2. The Plaintiff blames the Defendants and their agents/authorized servants for causing the said accident. The Plaintiff further avers that the said accident was solely caused by the negligence of the Defendants.
3. The particulars of damages occasioned to the Plaintiff’s car are captured in para 6 of the Plaint while the particulars of alleged negligence are captured in para 4 of the Plaint. The Plaintiff prays for special damages, costs of the suit and interest at court rates.
4. Return of Service on Record shows that the defendants were served with the suit papers. Interlocutory judgment was entered against the Defendants on 12th October 2021. The matter proceeded to formal proof hearing. The issue for determination before this court is quantum, seeing as liability is settled by the interlocutory judgment on record.
1. Quontum 5. The Plaintiff prays Special Damages, Costs of the Suit and any other relief. With respect to Special Damages, the Plaint prays for KES 120,750/- as captured in para 6 of the Plaint. I have seen assessment and inspection reports on record, cash sale receipts and corresponding claim payment requisitions attesting to settlement of KES 5,000+60,500+12,750+40,000/. It is settled principle that special damages must be pleaded and proved (see John Kibicho vs Emmanuel P Mkoitiko [2017] eKLR) . I find that KES 118,250/- has been pleaded and proved and award the same.
6. I have considered the Plaintiff’s submissions and the authorities annexed thereto. I have also considered all the exhibits on record. In particular, I have relied on the reasoning of the court in Akamba Public Road Services vs Abdikadir Adan Galgalo [2016] Eklr and African Line Transport Company vs Swaleh Kitsao & Sylvester Keitany, Civil Appeal no 6 of 2017 where the court outlined the principles to be applied in awarding special damages under the doctrine of subrogation.
7. In conclusion, I enter judgement in favour of the plaintiff as follows:1. Special damages KES 118,250/-2. Costs of the suit.3. Interest on 2 above at court rates.
8. The Plaintiff shall have costs in this suit and interests at court rates as outlined above from the date of this judgement until payment in full.
Aduke Jeal Praxades AtienoSenior Resident MagistrateJUDGEMENT SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY AT NAIROBI THIS 31ST AUGUST 2023. In the presence of :1. Court Assistant: Benjamin Kombe.2. Counsel for the Plaintiff- …………………….…………………………………………………………..3. For the Defence: ……………………………………………….………………………………..