[2023] KEMC 86 (KLR)
The court found that the plaintiff failed to provide conclusive proof of ownership of the defendant's vehicle as at the date of the accident, as required by section 8 of the Traffic Act. The police abstract and motor vehicle records did not establish a direct link between the defendants and the registered owners of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEMC 86 (KLR)
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Surestep Systems & Solutions Limited; Defendant: Stephen Kihumba; Defendant: Jonsu Road & Bridges Company Limited
- Court
- Magistrate's Court
- Court Station
- Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Civil Suit 4521 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Judgment
- Outcome
- suit dismissed
- Judges
- JP Aduke
- Legal Topics
- Road Traffic Accidents, Negligence, Proof of Ownership, Subrogation, Liability, Damages
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Surestep Systems & Solutions Limited
Plaintiff
Stephen Kihumba
Defendant
Jonsu Road & Bridges Company Limited
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the defendants were liable for the road traffic accident involving the plaintiff's vehicle.
- 2 Whether the plaintiff proved ownership and negligence as required by law.
- 3 Whether the plaintiff is entitled to special damages, costs, and interest.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the plaintiff failed to provide conclusive proof of ownership of the defendant's vehicle as at the date of the accident, as required by section 8 of the Traffic Act. The police abstract and motor vehicle records did not establish a direct link between the defendants and the registered owners of the vehicle alleged to have caused the accident. In the absence of sufficient evidence to prove ownership and liability, the court held that the defendants could not be found liable for the accident. Consequently, the suit was dismissed for lack of merit.
Court Disposition
suit dismissed
Orders
- The suit is dismissed for lack of merit.
- No award on costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
Surestep Systems & Solutions Limited v Kihumba & another (Civil Suit 4521 of 2019) [2023] KEMC 86 (KLR) (22 March 2023) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEMC 86 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
Civil Suit 4521 of 2019
JP Aduke, SRM
March 22, 2023
Between
Surestep Systems & Solutions Limited
Plaintiff
and
Stephen Kihumba
1st Defendant
Jonsu Road & Bridges Company Limited
2nd Defendant
Judgment
1. The Plaintiff filed this suit against the defendants following a road traffic accident on 26th February 2018 at Lumumba Drive in Nairobi. In the plaint filed on 24th June 2019, the plaintiff avers he was driving motor vehicle registration number KCG 698Y when the Defendant and his servant/agent/authorized driver of motor vehicle registration number KBT 630H negligently and carelessly drove the said motor vehicle, caused it to ram into KCG 698Y causing damage to the plaintiff’s car.
2. The Plaintiff blames the Defendants and their agents/authorized servants for causing the said accident. The Plaintiff further avers that the said accident was solely caused by the negligence of the Defendants.
3. The particulars of damage occasioned to the Plaintiff’s car are captured in para 7 of the Plaint while the particulars of alleged negligence are captured in para 9 of the Plaint. The Plaintiff prays for special damages, costs of the suit and interest at court rates. The plaintiff’s insurer claims against the Defendants under the principle of subrogation of rights.
4. Return of Service on Record shows that the defendants were served with the suit papers. The Defendants entered appearance and filed a defence. The plaintiff called four witnesses who testified on oath. Pw1 adopted his witness statement on file as his evidence in chief and Defence Counsel tested this evidence on cross-examination. The defence did not show up on the date of the hearing. There was proof of service on record confirming service with the hearing notice. Parties filed and exchanged written submissions.
5. The issues for determination before this court are liability and quontum:
1. Liability 6. With respect to liability, I have seen a copy of the Police Abstract on file which blames the driver of motor vehicle KBT 630H for causing the road accident herein. I have also seen a copy of the copy of Motor Vehicle Copy of Records dated 23 November 2018 search records confirming the identity of the owner of the motor vehicle KBT 630H as the Family Bank Limited and John Waithanji Mwangi. I note that the alleged road traffic accident happened on 26th February 2018. I have noted that the 2nd Defendant is a company. I have not seen on file any CR12 from the Registrar of Companies confirming that the aforementioned registered owners of Motor Vehicle KBT 630H are the owners of the said 2nd Defendant. According to the laws of Kenya, registration is the conclusive proof of ownership of a motorvehicle. In the absence of congruence between the police abstract and a copy of the motor vehicle copy of records showing the registered owner as at the date of the road traffic accident herein, I find the defendants not liable.
7. For the avoidance of doubt, in the absence of any further supporting proof of ownership as at the date of the accident or therebout, I am unable to ascertain and apportion liability. In the circumstances, I find that the defendants are not liable. I have relied on section 8 of the Traffic Act, Cap 403 Laws of Kenya and the reasoning of the court in Wellington Nganga Muthiora vs Akamba Public Road Services & Another[2010] EKLR.
2. Quontum 8. Having found as above on the issue of liability, I find the suit unmerited, and dismiss the same. I make no award on costs.
ADUKE JEAL PRAXADES ATIENOSENIOR RESIDENT MAGISTRATEJUDGEMENT SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY THIS 22ND MARCH 2023 IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PARTIES AT 12PM.In the presence of :Court Assistant: Benjamin Kombe.Counsel for the Plaintiff- …………………….…………………………………………………………..(Name, Signature, Date)For the Defence: ……………………………………………….………………………………..(Name, Signature, Date)