[2020] KEHC 6101 (KLR)

[2020] KEHC 6101 (KLR)

The High Court found that both the appellant and respondent bore equal responsibility for the accident. The respondent, though exposed to risk by sitting at the back of a pickup without safety measures, was nonetheless owed a duty of care by the appellant as the driver and de facto owner. The appellant's claim that...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] KEHC 6101 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Rabbi Kiogora Angaine; Respondent: Jane Karimi Duati
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Meru
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 51 of 2018
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal partially allowed; liability apportioned equally at 50:50; damages upheld; each party to bear own costs of appeal.
Judges
F Gikonyo
Legal Topics
Negligence, Contributory Negligence, Assessment of Damages, Motor Vehicle Accidents
Source Language
en
Tort Law Civil Procedure Negligence Contributory Negligence Assessment of Damages Motor Vehicle Accidents

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Parties

Rabbi Kiogora Angaine

Appellant

Jane Karimi Duati

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the appellant was liable for the accident and to what extent.
  2. 2 Whether the respondent proved ownership of the subject motor vehicle against the appellant.
  3. 3 Whether the doctrine of volenti non fit injuria applied to absolve the appellant from liability.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that both the appellant and respondent bore equal responsibility for the accident. The respondent, though exposed to risk by sitting at the back of a pickup without safety measures, was nonetheless owed a duty of care by the appellant as the driver and de facto owner. The appellant's claim that the respondent voluntarily assumed the risk (volenti non fit injuria) was rejected, as there was insufficient evidence she knowingly accepted the risk at her own expense. The court held that proof of ownership was sufficiently established by the police abstract and corroborating evidence, and the appellant failed to rebut this. The trial court's apportionment of liability at...

Court Disposition

Appeal partially allowed; liability apportioned equally at 50:50; damages upheld; each party to bear own costs of appeal.

Orders

  • Liability for the accident is apportioned at 50% to the appellant and 50% to the respondent.
  • General damages of Kshs. 800,000 and special damages of Kshs. 3,048 are upheld, subject to the new apportionment of liability.