[2017] KEELRC 877 (KLR)
The court found that the claimant had died and, despite being granted liberty to file an amended memorandum of claim upon obtaining letters of administration, no action had been taken for over two years. The claimant's advocates failed to take any steps to substitute the deceased or progress the suit. The court was...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEELRC 877 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Veronica Ruguru Wamaitha; Respondent: Board of Governors, Blesco House Girls B School
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 286 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Ruling on Motion to Dismiss for Want of Prosecution and Abatement
- Outcome
- suit struck out for abatement
- Judges
- MSA Makhandia
- Legal Topics
- Abatement of Claim, Want of Prosecution, Letters of Administration, Dismissal of Suit
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Veronica Ruguru Wamaitha
Claimant
Board of Governors, Blesco House Girls B School
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Ruling on Motion to Dismiss for Want of Prosecution and Abatement
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the suit should be dismissed for want of prosecution.
- 2 Whether the suit has abated due to the death of the claimant and failure to obtain letters of administration.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the claimant had died and, despite being granted liberty to file an amended memorandum of claim upon obtaining letters of administration, no action had been taken for over two years. The claimant's advocates failed to take any steps to substitute the deceased or progress the suit. The court was satisfied that the respondent's application was properly served and unopposed. Consequently, the court allowed the respondent's motion and struck out the suit on the ground that the claim had abated.
Court Disposition
suit struck out for abatement
Orders
- The suit is struck out with costs to the respondent on the ground that the claim has abated.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT
AT NAKURU
CAUSE NO. 286 OF 2014
VERONICA RUGURU WAMAITHA...........................CLAIMANT
v
BOARD OF GOVERNORS,
BLESCO HOUSE GIRLS B SCHOOL................RESPONDENT
RULING
1. For determination is a motion dated 7 April 2017 by the Respondent seeking
1. THAT this Honourable Court be pleased to dismiss the suit with costs for want of prosecution.
2. THAT in the alternative this Honourable Court be pleased to strike out this suit with costs on the ground that the Claim has abated.
3. THAT the costs of this application be provided for.
2. According to an affidavit of service sworn by Kisilah Daniel Gor, Advocate, the motion was served upon the firm of Murimi, Ndumia, Mbago & Muchela Advocates on 21 June 2017, and the said firm acknowledged service.
3. When the application was called out for hearing on 21 June 2017, the Claimant was not present nor were her advocates on record in Court.
4. The Court, being satisfied that the application was served allowed the application to be prosecuted.
5. In essence, the motion is unopposed as the Claimant failed or neglected to file any grounds of opposition or replying affidavit to disclose what steps have been taken to get letters of administration.
6. The Court notes that Mr. Wekhomba had informed it on 10 March 2015 that the Claimant had died and that the Court granted liberty to file amended Memorandum of Claim once letters of administration had been granted.
7. In this respect, one of the grounds relied on by the Respondent was that the cause of action had abated.
8. It is correct that no action has been taken 2 years after the Court granted liberty to the Claimant through the advocates on record to progress the Cause for hearing and on that ground the Court will allow the motion by the Respondent in terms of Order 2 as prayed.
Delivered, dated and signed in Nakuru on this 31st day of July 2017.
Radido Stephen
Judge
Appearances
For Claimant Murimi, Ndumia, Mbago & Muchela Advocates
For Respondent Mr. Kisilah instructed by Sheth & Wathigo, Advocates
Court Assistant Nixon/Martin