[2025] KEHC 1320 (KLR)

[2025] KEHC 1320 (KLR)

The court found that the Respondents' seizure and destruction of the Applicant's alcoholic products was arbitrary, unlawful, and procedurally unfair. The Respondents failed to provide any factual justification or written reasons for their actions, nor did they afford the Applicant an opportunity to be heard, in...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] KEHC 1320 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Patiala Distillers Limited; Respondent: Deputy County Commissioner Mathira East; Respondent: Inspector General of Police
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nyeri
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Judicial Review Application E003 of 2024
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review Application / Judgment
Outcome
Application allowed in part. Orders of certiorari and prohibition granted. Prayers for pecuniary compensation and damages struck out. Each party to bear own costs.
Judges
DKN Magare
Legal Topics
Judicial Review, Fair Administrative Action, Right to Be Heard, Seizure of Goods, Licensing and Regulation, Procedural Fairness
Source Language
en
Administrative Law Commercial and Corporate Judicial Review Fair Administrative Action Right to Be Heard Seizure of Goods Licensing and Regulation Procedural Fairness

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Patiala Distillers Limited

Applicant

Deputy County Commissioner Mathira East

Respondent

Inspector General of Police

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review Application / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Respondents' seizure and destruction of the Applicant's alcoholic products was lawful and procedurally fair.
  2. 2 Whether the Applicant was entitled to judicial review orders of certiorari and prohibition against the Respondents' actions.
  3. 3 Whether the Applicant was entitled to pecuniary compensation for seized goods and reputational loss.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the Respondents' seizure and destruction of the Applicant's alcoholic products was arbitrary, unlawful, and procedurally unfair. The Respondents failed to provide any factual justification or written reasons for their actions, nor did they afford the Applicant an opportunity to be heard, in violation of Article 47 of the Constitution and the Fair Administrative Action Act. The court held that the doctrine of exhaustion did not apply because the statutory mechanism (IPOA) was unsuitable for the Applicant's grievance, and the court had original jurisdiction to grant judicial review remedies. The sub judice objection was rejected as the reliefs sought in this judicial...

Court Disposition

Application allowed in part. Orders of certiorari and prohibition granted. Prayers for pecuniary compensation and damages struck out. Each party to bear own costs.

Orders

  • An order of certiorari is issued to quash the decision of the 1st Respondent to seize or ban the possession, consumption or sale of the Applicant’s Diamond Ice and Flying Horse alcoholic drinks brands in Mathira East Sub-County or anywhere in Kenya.
  • An order is issued restraining the Respondents from unlawfully seizing, banning, taking or otherwise removing the Applicant’s Diamond Ice and Flying Horse alcoholic drinks brands from the market shelves in Mathira East Sub-County or anywhere in Kenya.