[2013] KEMC 75 (KLR)
The court found that while the delay by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents in filing their response was not excusable, the broader interests of justice required that they not be locked out of the proceedings, as their participation would benefit the court and all parties. The court took judicial notice of the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEMC 75 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Robert Bisakaya Wanyera; Respondent: Nathan Obwana; Respondent: Caleb S. Gekonde; Respondent: The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission; Respondent: Lorna Nanjala Khaemba
- Court
- Magistrate's Court
- Court Station
- Election Petition in Magistrate Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Election Petition 1 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Election Petition / Ruling on Application for Extension of Time to File Response to Petition
- Outcome
- Application for extension of time to file response to petition allowed.
- Legal Topics
- Extension of Time, Filing of Responses, Court Discretion, Costs in Election Petitions
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Robert Bisakaya Wanyera
Applicant
Nathan Obwana
Respondent
Caleb S. Gekonde
Respondent
The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission
Respondent
Lorna Nanjala Khaemba
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Election Petition / Ruling on Application for Extension of Time to File Response to Petition
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents should be granted leave to file their response to the petition out of time.
- 2 Whether sufficient reasons have been provided for the delay in filing the response.
- 3 Whether granting the extension would occasion prejudice or injustice to any party.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that while the delay by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents in filing their response was not excusable, the broader interests of justice required that they not be locked out of the proceedings, as their participation would benefit the court and all parties. The court took judicial notice of the logistical challenges faced by the 3rd respondent in handling multiple petitions across the country, which contributed to the delay. Exercising its discretion under Rule 20 of the Election Petition Rules and guided by Article 159(2)(a) of the Constitution, the court granted leave to the respondents to file their response out of time, deeming the response annexed to the application as...
Court Disposition
Application for extension of time to file response to petition allowed.
Orders
- Leave is granted to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respondents to file their response to the petition out of time.
- The response annexed to the application is deemed duly filed upon payment of the requisite fee.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
34 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE’S COURT AT BUNGOMA
ELECTION PETITION NO. 1 OF 2013
IN THE MATTER OF THE ELECTIONS ACT NO. 24 OF 2011 AND ELECTIONS [PARLIAMENTARY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS] PETITION RULES, 2013
AND
IN THE MATTER OF THE MEMBER OF COUNTY ASSEMBLY FOR LWANDANYI WARD
BETWEEN
ROBERT BISAKAYA WANYERA………………………….PETITIONER
VERSUS
1. NATHAN OBWANA ………………...…………….1ST RESPONDENT
2. CALEB S. GEKONDE ……………..…………..….2ND RESPONDENT
3. THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL
BOUNDARIES COMMISSION…….………..….3RDRESPONDENT
4. LORNA NANJALA KHAEMBA ………….…….4TH RESPONDENT
R U L I N G
This is a ruling on application dated 30th April 2013 filed by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents. It is brought under rule 20 of the Elections (Parliamentary and County Elections) petition rules 2013. It seeks Court’s leave for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents to file response to petition out of time. Mr. Akenga for the 3 respondents submitted that at the time of being given instructions his clients did not supply them with all relevant documentary evidence and information to file response to the petition. He said the said documents were to come from the 3rd respondent’s headquarters and it required time because there are many petitions filed all over the republic. He further stated that the documents he filed will be relevant to Court, petitioner and the respondents. He referred to rule 20 of election (Parliamentary and County) petitions rules and Article 159(2)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
In reply Counsel for the petitioner Ms Mumalasi submitted that the respondents have come to Court 37 days late and that a matter of time is not a matter of technicality as provided in Article 159 as time is of essence in all election petitions and that they have not satisfied the Court as to why they delayed. She further submitted that the application is an abuse of Court process and that the application is eating into the time of hearing of the petition. She further submitted that if the Court be inclined to allow the application the petitioner should be adequately compensated by way of costs which should not be less than Kshs.300,000/-. In response Mr. Akenga submitted that the delay has been explained and that the 3rd respondent was involved in election exercise in so many wards in the Country and so many petitions have been filed therefore requiring time to furnish documents. He said no prejudice will be caused to the petitioner if the application is allowed as hearing has not commenced.
On costs he said he had not served the petitioner to attend Court but was in Court for mention.
I have considered arguments by both Counsels. I have also perused rule 20 Election (Parliamentary and County) petition rules 2013 and Article 159(a) of the Constitution. I have also perused exhibits annexed to the petition and response. There is no doubt that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents failed to file response to petition within the required 14 days as per rule 14(1) of Election (Parliamentary and County) petition rules 2013. Rule 20 gives this Court discretion to extend time. Extension should be upon sufficient reasons being given for failure to file within required time. The petition herein refer to one ward and documents required may not be much but I also take Judicial notice of the fact that the 3rd Respondent who was required to provide the documents was also involved in election in many other wards all over the Country and many petitions have been filed. Dealing with documents relating to all petitions filed would no doubt take time. Delay is however in excusable but locking out a crucial party from proceedings will do more injustice to the people affected.
Having perused the intended response and its annextures I note that participation of the respondents herein in the trial will be of benefit to the Court and all parties concerned.
For the purpose of ensuring that no injustice is occasioned to any party I find it fair and just to grant the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondent’s leave to file response to the petition.
I further order that the response annexed to the application herein be and is duly deemed filed upon payment of requisite fee.
Costs of the application to be costs in the cause.
R. B. NGETICH
Ag. CHIEF MAGISTRATE
8/5/2013
8/5/2013
Before Mrs. Ngetich Ag. CM
Mr. Kamau for 1st Respondent
Mr. Akenga for 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents
COURT: Ruling delivered in open Court.
R.B. NGETICH
Ag. CHIEF MAGISTRATE
8/5/2013