[2015] KEHC 1248 (KLR)
The court found that the delay in substituting the deceased petitioner was satisfactorily explained and that the applicant, as administrator of the deceased's estate and with the consent of other beneficiaries, was a proper party to be substituted. The court further recognized the urgency due to the applicant's...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 1248 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Moses Kamori Ngigi; Petitioner: Rosemary Wanjiku Ngigi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Application 1161 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Substitution and Revival of Suit
- Outcome
- Application allowed; suit revived and applicant substituted as petitioner.
- Judges
- LM Njuguna
- Legal Topics
- Mental Capacity, Guardianship, Estate Administration
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Moses Kamori Ngigi
Applicant
Rosemary Wanjiku Ngigi
Petitioner
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Substitution and Revival of Suit
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the suit should be revived following the death of the original petitioner.
- 2 Whether the applicant should be substituted as a party in place of the deceased petitioner.
- 3 Whether the petition should be heard on a priority basis due to the applicant's travel constraints.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the delay in substituting the deceased petitioner was satisfactorily explained and that the applicant, as administrator of the deceased's estate and with the consent of other beneficiaries, was a proper party to be substituted. The court further recognized the urgency due to the applicant's travel schedule and allowed the revival of the suit and substitution of parties, directing that the petition be heard on a priority basis. The absence of objection from other beneficiaries and the applicant's legal standing as administrator were decisive factors.
Court Disposition
Application allowed; suit revived and applicant substituted as petitioner.
Orders
- The suit herein which had abated is revived.
- Moses Kamori Ngigi is substituted as petitioner in place of Rosemary Wanjiku Ngigi (deceased).
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NUMBER 1161 OF 2013
IN THE MATTER OF PETER NGIGI KAMORI
AND
IN THE MATTER OF MENTAL HEALTH ACT
CHAPTER 248 OF THE LAWS OF KENYA
ROSEMARY WANJIKU NGIGI. ……………………….….. PETITIONER
VERSUS
MOSES KAMORI NGIGI. ………………………..…………. APPLICANT
R U L I N G
The Applicant in his Application by way of a Notice of Motion dated 3rd November, 2014 is seeking the following substantive Orders: -
That this Honourable court be pleased to hear this Application urgently since the Applicant works in the U.S.A and he is in the country upto 9th November, 2015.
That the suit herein which has abated be revived.
That MOSES KAMORI NGIGI the applicant herein be made a party in this suit to replace Rose Wanjiku Ngigi (Deceased) who was the Petitioner in this suit.
That this Honourable Court be pleased to hear the Petition herein urgently since the Applicant works in the U.S.A and he is in the country upto 9th November, 2015.
That in the alternative the attendance of MOSES KAMORI NGIGI (the Applicant) be dispensed with during the hearing of the petition herein.
The Application is premised on the grounds set out on the body of the Application and on the annexed Affidavit of MOSES KAMORI NGIGI.
In summary, the Petitioner ROSEMARY WANJIKU NGIGI is deceased and it’s necessary to substitute her. She passed away on the 2nd November, 2014 and a copy of the Death Certificate is annexed.
The Applicant is the son of the Late Rosemary Wanjiku Ngigi, he works in the United States of America and was to leave the country on the 9th November, 2015 but had to prolong to 5th December, 2015.
The counsel for the Applicant in his submissions sought prayers 2 and 3 of the Application and urged the court to hear the Petition before the applicant can travel back to the United States of America on 5th December, 2015 or in the alternative his attendance be dispensed with.
The Applicant is the Administrator of the Estate of his Deceased mother and a Grant of Letters of administration was issued to him on the 6th May, 2013.
On record are two Affidavits one by Manasseh Gakimo Ngigi sworn at Texas on the 5th November, 2015 and filed in court on 12th November, 2015 and another one by Zipporah Waithira Ngigi sworn at Texas in the United States of America on the 7th November, 2015 and filed in court on 12th November, 2015. The deponents are both beneficiaries to the estate of the late Rosemary Wanjiku Ngigi and are a son and daughter of Peter Ngigi Kamori. Both of them do not have any objection to the Applicant being appointed the Legal Guardian and Manager of the Estate of their father Peter Ngigi Kamori.
I have read the application together with the Affidavit in support and I have also taken into account the submissions by the Counsel for the Applicant. The delay in substituting the deceased has been explained and the reasons given are valid.
Prayers 2 and 3 of the Notice of Motion dated 3rd November, 2015 are accordingly allowed. The petition herein be heard on priority basis before the Petitioner can go back to the United States of America on the 5th December, 2015.
Dated and delivered at Nairobi this 19th day of November, 2015.
…………………………………….
L NJUGUNA
JUDGE
In the presence of
……………………………….. for the applicant