[2021] KEELRC 2405 (KLR)
The court found that, given the existence of multiple similar judicial review applications filed in different courts concerning the same subject matter, granting a stay order would risk issuing contradictory orders and potentially amount to an abuse of the court process. The court emphasized the need for judicial...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEELRC 2405 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Kisii University; Respondent: Kisii University Council; Respondent: Interested Party (Deputy Vice Chancellor)
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Eldoret
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause E004 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Judicial Review Application / Ruling on Whether Leave Operates as Stay
- Outcome
- Leave granted to commence judicial review proceedings does not operate as a stay of the impugned decision.
- Legal Topics
- Judicial Review, Stay of Execution, University Governance, Public Service Recruitment
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Kisii University
Respondent
Kisii University Council
Respondent
Interested Party (Deputy Vice Chancellor)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review Application / Ruling on Whether Leave Operates as Stay
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether leave granted to commence judicial review proceedings should operate as a stay of the impugned decision.
- 2 Whether the application amounts to an abuse of court process due to multiplicity of similar applications.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that, given the existence of multiple similar judicial review applications filed in different courts concerning the same subject matter, granting a stay order would risk issuing contradictory orders and potentially amount to an abuse of the court process. The court emphasized the need for judicial caution in such circumstances and declined to direct that the leave granted should operate as a stay of the impugned decision. The court further directed that the respondents are at liberty to seek consolidation of similar applications before one court to ensure consistency and avoid conflicting outcomes.
Court Disposition
Leave granted to commence judicial review proceedings does not operate as a stay of the impugned decision.
Orders
- Leave granted to commence judicial review proceedings shall not operate as a stay of the impugned decision.
- Respondents are at liberty to move the court for consolidation of similar applications filed in other courts to be dealt with by one court.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
19 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT OF KENYA
AT ELDORET
COURT NAME: ELDORET LAW COURT
CAUSE NUMBER: ELRCJR/E004/2021
CITATION: REPUBLIC VS KISII UNIVERSITY AND KISII UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND 1 OTHERS
RULING
ON 2021-11-19 BEFORE HON. JUSTICE J. N. ABUODHA
1. On 13th October, 2021 I granted the applicant leave to commence judicial review proceedings. I however invited submissions on the issue whether leave so granted should operate as a stay of the decision sought to be impugned by way of Judicial Review.
2. In support of the application to operate as a stay Counsel for the ex parte applicant, Mr. Samba has submitted among others that the 3rd respondent was the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics, Research and Student Affairs at Kisii University on 5-year contract expiring on 30th November, 2021.
3. At the time of his appointment section 35(1)(V) of the Universities Act had not been amended hence his appointment was made by the 2nd respondent’s the University Council. Relying on the case of Republic v National Hospital Insurance Fund Management (2019) eKLR in which Nyamweya J (as she then was) stated that the purpose of a stay order in judicial review proceedings was to prevent the decision maker from continuing with the decision making process, if the decision has not been made or to suspend the validity and implementation of the decision that has been made.
4. The Interested Party herein filed an Affidavit in response in which he raised serious issues of law including the advisory opinion of the Honourable Attorney General wherein it was opined by the AG that the role of the PSC lies in the competitive recruitment of the respective top university managers. Once the competitive recruitment has been done, the University Council in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary appoints the successful candidates. That the aspect of competitive recruitment does not arise in the context of reappointments.
5. Of more concern is the deposition by the Interested Party that the present application amounted to an abuse of the Court process in that it was a project sponsored by insiders within the Universitywho were against his candidature and who have since filed three judicial review applications in different courts touching on the same subject matter using different sponsored applicants. One such application has been stated a Kisumu JR ELRC NO E15 and E013 of 2021 filed by different individuals.
6. This is a disturbing averment and revelation that obviously operates in the mind of the Court in considering whether leave so granted should operate as stay. It sets the Court on the path of extra caution in order to avoid issuing orders contradictory to those which may have or will be issued by these other courts on similar issue.
7. From the foregoing, the Court does not find it appropriate to direct that the leave so granted do operate as a stay of the decision sought to be challenged by the substantive motion.
8. The Court further directs that the respondent be at liberty to move the Court for the consolidation of similar applications filed in other courts and that they be dealt with by one Court.
9. It is so ordered.
GIVEN under my hand and Seal of this Court on 2021-12-01 11:52:55
SIGNED BY: HON. JUSTICE J. N. ABUODHA (ADMINISTER JUSTICE)