[2015] KEHC 3206 (KLR)

[2015] KEHC 3206 (KLR)

The High Court held that, under the Constitution of Kenya, original jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for redress of denial, violation, or infringement of rights in the Bill of Rights is vested in the High Court and courts of similar status. Article 23(2) contemplates that Parliament may, by...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2015] KEHC 3206 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Royal Media Services Ltd; Respondent: The Attorney General; Respondent: HIV and AIDS Tribunal; Interested Party: The Nation Media Group; Interested Party: KEMRI CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration; Interested Party: Mr. M J M; Interested Party: Mrs. M A A
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Petition 466 of 2014
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Judgment
Outcome
Petition allowed. Declarations granted. Prohibition issued. No order as to costs.
Judges
EM Ngugi
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction of Tribunals, Enforcement of Bill of Rights, Interpretation of Constitution, Supervisory Jurisdiction, Right to Privacy, Right to Non Discrimination
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Administrative Law Jurisdiction of Tribunals Enforcement of Bill of Rights Interpretation of Constitution Supervisory Jurisdiction Right to Privacy Right to Non Discrimination

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Parties

Royal Media Services Ltd

Applicant

The Attorney General

Respondent

HIV and AIDS Tribunal

Respondent

The Nation Media Group

Interested Party

KEMRI CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration

Interested Party

Mr. M J M

Interested Party

Mrs. M A A

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Constitutional Petition / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the HIV and AIDS Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear and determine matters alleging violation of constitutional rights under the Bill of Rights.
  2. 2 Whether, in the absence of enabling legislation under Article 23(2) of the Constitution, subordinate courts and tribunals can enforce the Bill of Rights.
  3. 3 Whether the provisions of the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act confer constitutional jurisdiction on the Tribunal.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court held that, under the Constitution of Kenya, original jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for redress of denial, violation, or infringement of rights in the Bill of Rights is vested in the High Court and courts of similar status. Article 23(2) contemplates that Parliament may, by legislation, confer such jurisdiction on subordinate courts in appropriate cases, but in the absence of such legislation, subordinate courts and tribunals, including the HIV and AIDS Tribunal, lack jurisdiction to determine constitutional rights violations. The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act does not confer constitutional jurisdiction on the Tribunal, and the Tribunal's...

Court Disposition

Petition allowed. Declarations granted. Prohibition issued. No order as to costs.

Orders

  • Declaration that only the High Court and courts of similar status currently have jurisdiction to hear and determine matters of violation of fundamental rights and freedoms in the Bill of Rights.
  • Declaration that in the absence of legislation enacted by Parliament to give subordinate courts original jurisdiction to hear and determine matters of denial, violation and infringement of right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights, subordinate courts and tribunals, including the HIV and AIDS Tribunal, do...