[2008] KEHC 2337 (KLR)
The court held that since the suit in question had already been struck out for want of territorial jurisdiction pursuant to Gazette Notice No.300 of 2007, there was no suit pending before the Kehancha Resident Magistrate’s Court. As such, there was nothing left to transfer to the Sotik Law Courts. The application...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2008] KEHC 2337 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Siyat Noor Gedi; Respondent: M. A. Bayusuf & Sons Limited; Respondent: Onesmus Mwasa Musa
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- ? 28 of 2008
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Transfer of Suit
- Outcome
- application struck out
- Judges
- DK Musinga
- Legal Topics
- Transfer of Suit, Territorial Jurisdiction, Striking Out Applications
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Siyat Noor Gedi
Applicant
M. A. Bayusuf & Sons Limited
Respondent
Onesmus Mwasa Musa
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Application for Transfer of Suit
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court can transfer a suit that has already been struck out for want of jurisdiction.
- 2 Whether the application for transfer is competent in light of the suit's status.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that since the suit in question had already been struck out for want of territorial jurisdiction pursuant to Gazette Notice No.300 of 2007, there was no suit pending before the Kehancha Resident Magistrate’s Court. As such, there was nothing left to transfer to the Sotik Law Courts. The application for transfer was therefore incompetent and bad in law, warranting its striking out. The applicant was ordered to bear the costs of the application.
Court Disposition
application struck out
Orders
- The plaintiff's application for transfer is struck out.
- The plaintiff will bear the costs of the application.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
OF KISII
Misc.Civil Appli. 28 of 2008
SIYAT NOOR GEDI …………………………..……. APPLICANT
VERSUS
M. A. BAYUSUF & SONS LIMITED ……… 1ST RESPONDENT
ONESMUS MWASA MUSA …………………. 2ND RESPONDENT
RULING
The plaintiff applicant has applied for transfer of Kehancha RMCC.NO.92 of 2005 to Sotik Law Court hearing and determination. The application was made on the grounds that:
(a) The cause of action arose along Kericho-Sotik road within the jurisdiction of Sotik Law Courts.
(b) The majority of the witnesses are based or reside at Kericho.
(c) The respondents will not be prejudiced if the order sought is grant.
The application was supported by the plaintiff’s affidavit.
The application was opposed by the defendants/respondents. A replying affidavit sworn by Boniface Githinji Ndumia, the defendant’s advocate was filed. He stated that the plaintiff’s suit was struck out by the court suo moto for want of territorial jurisdiction, in view of Gazette Notice No.300 of 2007 promulgated by the Hon. The Chief Justice on 19th Janaury, 2007. As such, the suit was not pending before Kehancha Resident Magistrate’s Court as alleged, Mr. Ndumia stated.
That averment under oath was not denied by the plaintiff’s advocate. If indeed the suit was struck out, there is nothing remaining that is capable of being transferred, even without considering any other argument that was raised by counsel. The plaintiff’s application is bad in law and indeed is for striking out which I hereby do. The plaintiff will bear the costs thereof.
DATED, SIGNED and DELIVERD at KISII this 6th Day of June, 2008
D. MUSINGA
JUDGE
Delivered in open court in the presence of
N/A for the applicant
Mr. Nyamurongi H/B for Mr. Musangi for the respondent
D. MUSINGA
JUDGE