[2024] KEHC 4552 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient grounds for reviewing the earlier judgment, particularly in the absence of an environmental impact report or a supervised disposal plan for the chemical cargo. The court emphasized that allowing the abandonment or unsupervised disposal of hazardous...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 4552 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Rupal Colorchem Industries; Defendant: Innospsec Limited
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Case E007 of 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Case / Ruling on Application for Review of Judgment
- Outcome
- application dismissed; suit closed
- Judges
- DKN Magare
- Legal Topics
- Review of Judgment, Abandonment of Goods, Chemical Waste Management, Court Orders on Cargo
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Rupal Colorchem Industries
Plaintiff
Innospsec Limited
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Ruling on Application for Review of Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should review its earlier judgment to declare the consignment abandoned by the plaintiff.
- 2 Whether the court should order the stripping and release of containers holding the chemical consignment without an environmental impact assessment.
- 3 Whether the applicant can avoid repatriation or proper disposal of chemical cargo in Kenya.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient grounds for reviewing the earlier judgment, particularly in the absence of an environmental impact report or a supervised disposal plan for the chemical cargo. The court emphasized that allowing the abandonment or unsupervised disposal of hazardous chemicals would pose significant environmental risks and contravene the polluter pays principle. Therefore, the application to declare the consignment abandoned and to release the containers without proper oversight was dismissed. The court held that the applicant must bear responsibility for the safe repatriation or transshipment of the cargo, and that any disposal must be...
Court Disposition
application dismissed; suit closed
Orders
- The application dated 20/3/2024 is dismissed with no order as to costs.
- The suit is closed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
19 paragraphs
Rupal Colorchem Industries v Innospsec Limited (Civil Case E007 of 2024) [2024] KEHC 4552 (KLR) (16 April 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 4552 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Mombasa
Civil Case E007 of 2024
DKN Magare, J
April 16, 2024
Between
Rupal Colorchem Industries
Plaintiff
and
Innospsec Limited
Defendant
Ruling
1. The Applicant sought the following prayers: -a.That this application be certified urgent and service thereof be dispensed within the first instance.b.That this Honourable Court be pleased to review its judgment issued on 26th February, 2024 by issuing a further Order declaring the consignment the subject of the Bill of Lading No. NAV/MBA/06518 as having been abandoned by the plaintiff.c.That this Honourable Court bee pleased to review its judgment issued on 26th February 2024 by issuing a further order directing that the container (s) holding the consignment the subject of Bill of lading No. NAV/ MBA / 06518 be striped of the aid cargo and thereafter, the said containers be released to the Shipping Line- Emirates Shipping Agencies (India) PVT.d.That this Honourable Court be pleased to issue any such and/or further orders that it may deem fit/necessary to achieve the ends of justice.e.The costs of this application be provided for.
2. The grounds are that the cost of repatriation are higher than they initially estimated. The contents were chemical imported into this country was 6000kgs of Synthic Organic Coluring mater, 6000kgs of 4R 85% valued at USD 67,200/= There is no attached any Environmental Impact Report of striping the consignment and releasing the matter in Kenya. Though the Application is not opposed here are no grounds to allow the Application. The appellant should repatriate of transship the cargo. They cannot leave chemical waste in the country without regard to the potential pollution. The amount of cargo itself is enough to cause unknown chemical effects. In the absence of an order or disposal which must be supervised by KRA and NEMA, with the polluter paying the court has no reason to grant the orders sought.
3. The consequence of the foregoing is that the application dated 20/3/2024 lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.
Determination 4. The upshot of the foregoing is that I make the following orders: -a.The Application dated 20/3/2024 lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed with no order as to costs.b.The suit is closed.
DELIVERED, DATED AND SIGNED AT MOMBASA ON THIS 16TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024. RULING DELIVERED THROUGH MICROSOFT TEAMS ONLINE PLATFORM.KIZITO MAGAREJUDGEIn the presence of:-Mr. Ndambuki for the PlaintiffNo appearance for the DefendantCourt Assistant- Michael/Brian