[2022] KEHC 10018 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had obtained a valid judgment and decree against the government, had complied with all statutory requirements under Section 21 of the Government Proceedings Act, and had obtained a Certificate of Order against the Government. The respondents failed to satisfy the decree and did not...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 10018 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Principal Secretary Ministry of Interior; Respondent: Attorney General; Applicant: Dave Ouma Okongo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Migori
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Judicial Review E005 of 2022
- Procedural Posture
- Judicial Review Application / Judgment
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- RPV Wendoh
- Legal Topics
- Mandamus Orders, Government Proceedings, Execution of Decrees, Public Duty Enforcement
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Principal Secretary Ministry of Interior
Respondent
Attorney General
Respondent
Dave Ouma Okongo
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review Application / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to pay the decretal sum as per the judgment in Migori CMCC No. 898 of 2018.
- 2 Whether the applicant has complied with the requirements under Section 21 of the Government Proceedings Act for issuance of a mandamus order.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had obtained a valid judgment and decree against the government, had complied with all statutory requirements under Section 21 of the Government Proceedings Act, and had obtained a Certificate of Order against the Government. The respondents failed to satisfy the decree and did not participate in the proceedings. Since attachment of government property is prohibited, mandamus is the only available remedy to compel payment. The court held that the applicant is entitled to an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to pay the decretal sum with interest at 14% until payment in full, as well as costs of the application.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- An order of mandamus is issued compelling the respondents to pay the applicant the decretal sum of Kshs. 348,404 together with interest at 14% until payment in full.
- Costs of the application assessed at Kshs. 20,000 are awarded to the applicant.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
32 paragraphs
Republic v Principal Secretary Ministry of Interior & another; Okongo (Exparte) (Judicial Review E005 of 2022) [2022] KEHC 10018 (KLR) (21 July 2022) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2022] KEHC 10018 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Migori
Judicial Review E005 of 2022
RPV Wendoh, J
July 21, 2022
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY DAVE OUMA OKONGO FOR LEAVE OF COURT TO APPLY FOR ORDERS OF MANDAMUS AND IN THE MATTER OF ORDER 22 & 29 OF THE CIVIL PROCEDURE ACT, CAP 26 LAWS OF KENYA AND IN THE MATTER OF EXECUTION OF A DECREE FOR KSHS. 348,404/= AND IN THE MATTER OF ORDER 53 (1) CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES
Between
Republic
Applicant
and
Principal Secretary Ministry of Interior
1st Respondent
Attorney General
2nd Respondent
and
Dave Ouma Okongo
Exparte
Judgment
1. For determination is the Notice of Motion dated 17/3/2022 brought under the provisions of Order 53 Rule (1) - (6) of the Civil Procedure Rules. The ex - parte applicant through the firm of Kerario Marwa & Co. Advocates seeks the following orders: -a.That an order of Mandamus do issue from this court commanding the respondents to pay the applicant the decretal sum of Kshs. 348,404/= together with interest at 14% upto the date of payment, being the decreed sum in Migori CMCC NO. 898 of 2018. b.Costs of the application be borne by the respondents.
2. The application is based on the statement of facts and the verifying affidavit in support of the application and dated 16/12/2021.
3. According to the ex-parte applicant, he obtained judgment in his favour vide Migori CMCCC No. 898 of 2018 Dave Ouma Okongo v Inspector General of Police & The Honourable Attorney General for a total of Kshs. 348,404/= together with interest.
4. The ex-parte applicant avers that the respondents have refused to honour the court decree to pay the applicant; that the Government Proceedings Act as read together with the Civil Procedure Act prohibit attachment of Government properties in execution of court decrees and the only remedy available to the applicant is to apply for an the order of mandamus to compel the respondents to pay the applicant the decreed sum of Kshs. 348,404/= with interest upto the date of payment.
5. The application is not opposed. Despite being served severally, the respondents chose not to participate in these proceedings. There is an affidavit of service dated 10/5/2022 sworn by George Ochieng Bala on record.
6. I have considered the application and the supporting documents annexed to the verifying affidavit as “DOO1” and “DOO3” being the Certificate of Order against the Government dated 20/8/2021 and affidavit of service respectively.
7. It is not in dispute that a judgement was entered in favour of the ex-parte applicant and the court made an award of Kshs. 190,440/= being the decretal sum together with costs. The trial court further directed that the interest on the special damages should run from the date of filing suit at the rate of 14% till payment in full.
8. The ex-parte applicant is simply seeking an order of mandamus to compel the respondents to perform their public duty and satisfy the decree which they have failed to do to the detriment of the ex-parte applicant.
9. In the case of Republic v Attorney General & another Ex-parte Ongata Works Limited [2016] eKLR Odunga J referred to the case of R (Regina) v Dudsheath, Exparte, Meredith [1950] 2 ALL ER 741, AT 743, where Lord Goddard C. J. held as follows:"It is important to remember that "mandamus" is neither a writ of course nor a writ of right, but that it will be granted if the duty is in the nature of a public duty, and specially affects the rights of an individual, provided there is no more appropriate remedy... "
10. Before an order of Mandamus can issue, the ex-parte applicant must comply with Section 21 of the Government Proceedings Act. In Kisya Investments Ltd v The A. G. (2005) 1KLR 74, the Court explained why the stric and elaborate procedure under that section has to be followed, that is, to allow the Government time to enable it to make arrangements to satisfy the decree. In this case, the ex-parte applicant has satisfied the above requirements under the law and a Certificate of Order of costs dated 20/8/2021 was issued pursuant to Section 21 of the Government Proceedings Act.
11. Having found that the ex-parte applicant is fully compliant, the court finds that he is deserving of an order of Mandamus. The application is allowed and an order of mandamus to issue compelling the Respondent to pay the applicant the decretal sum together with interest of 14% upto the date of payment in full. as prayed. Costs of this application are assessed at Kshs. 20,000/= in favour of the ex-parte applicant. It is so ordered.
DATED, DELIVERED AND SIGNED AT MIGORI THIS 21ST DAY OF JULY, 2022. R. WENDOHJUDGEJudgment delivered in the presence ofNo appearance for the Ex-Parte Applicant.No appearance for the Respondents.Nyauke Court Assistant.