[2019] KEELC 1388 (KLR)
The court found that the 3rd plaintiff had failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules requiring disclosure and filing of witness statements. Allowing the 3rd plaintiff to testify without a statement would be highly prejudicial to the defendants, as it would deprive them of the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEELC 1388 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Samjay Varma & Others; Defendant: Jackson Eshiwani Likoye & 7 Others; Defendant: 9th Defendant
- Court
- Environment and Land Court
- Court Station
- Environment and Land Court at Kisumu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Environment & Land Case 824 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Interlocutory Application Ruling
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs
- Judges
- TM Olando
- Legal Topics
- Witness Statements, Prejudice to Parties, Compliance With Civil Procedure Rules, Right to Fair Hearing
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Samjay Varma & Others
Plaintiff
Jackson Eshiwani Likoye & 7 Others
Defendant
9th Defendant
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Interlocutory Application Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the 3rd Plaintiff should be allowed to testify without having filed a witness statement.
- 2 Whether allowing the 3rd Plaintiff to testify without a statement would be prejudicial to the defendants.
- 3 Whether the application amounts to a review of a previous court decision rejecting witness statements.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the 3rd plaintiff had failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules requiring disclosure and filing of witness statements. Allowing the 3rd plaintiff to testify without a statement would be highly prejudicial to the defendants, as it would deprive them of the opportunity to know and respond to the intended testimony. Furthermore, granting such permission would amount to a review of a previous court decision that had already rejected the filing of witness statements. The court therefore dismissed the application, finding no merit in allowing the 3rd plaintiff to testify without a statement.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs
Orders
- The application to allow the 3rd plaintiff to testify without a witness statement is dismissed.
- The application is dismissed with costs to the defendants.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
28 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT
AT KISUMU
ELC CASE NO. 824 OF 2015
(FORMERLY HCCC NO. 144 OF 2007)
SAMJAY VARMA & OTHERS...................................................................PLAINTIFFS
VERSUS
JACKSON ESHIWANI LIKOYE & 7 OTHERS.....................................DEFENDANTS
RULING
1. Mr. Amondi, advocate for the Plaintiffs sought to call PW3 and the last witness. Mr. Sam Onyango objected to the calling of the witness stating that the PW3 had not filed a statement and that the issue of calling PW3 was Res-judicata.
2. According to Mr. Onyango, calling PW3 would be offensive to Article 50 of the Constitution of Kenya and it is totally pre-judicial to the defendants.
3. Mr. Quieu advocate for the 9th defendant supported Mr. Onyango stating that the application should be rejected as the PW3 wants to respond to something that was said in court.
4. Mr. Amondi learned counsel for plaintiffs responds that the application is not for filing of witness statement but to allow the 3rd plaintiff to testify. The 3rd Plaintiff has always been available and was a party since 2007. The defendants will not be prejudiced and that the PW3 will not introduce any new document.
5. I have heard all counsel on record. I do find that the 3rd Plaintiff has failed to comply with cardinal provisions in the Civil Procedure Rules of disclosure to the other parties in litigation. It is important for a party to file a statement to enable the opponent to know what he intends to say in his testimony. It will be highly prejudicial to allow the 3rd Plaintiff to testify without a statement.
6. The 3rd Plaintiff’s application to file statement has been dismissed, I do find no merit in the application to give the 3rd Plaintiff permission to testify without a statement. Giving such an order will amount to a review of the decision of the court made on 10/6/2019 rejecting the witness statements.
7. The application is dismissed with costs.
Orders accordingly.
A. O. OMBWAYO
ENVIRONMENT & LAND
JUDGE
DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 18TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2019.
In the presence of:
Mr. Amondi for Plaintiffs
Mr. Onyango for 2nd – 8th Defendants
Mr. Quier for 9th Defendant.
A. O. OMBWAYO
ENVIRONMENT & LAND
JUDGE