[2024] KEHC 14810 (KLR)

[2024] KEHC 14810 (KLR)

The High Court found that the trial magistrate erred in adopting a multiplicand of Kshs 20,000 for loss of dependency without sufficient evidence of the deceased's earnings or occupation. The court held that, in the absence of proof, the minimum wage should be applied, and adopted Kshs 10,000 as a fair estimate...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] KEHC 14810 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Ezekiel Muraya Wachira; Appellant: White Sky Investment Limited; Respondent: Naomi Jepkesio Chirchir; Respondent: Julius Kemei Kimeli Miso
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Eldoret
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 106 of 2019
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal partially allowed. Awards for loss of dependency and loss of consortium varied; other awards and liability apportionment upheld. Each party to bear own costs.
Judges
JRA Wananda
Legal Topics
Fatal Accidents, Quantum of Damages, Loss of Dependency, Loss of Expectation of Life, Loss of Consortium, Apportionment of Liability
Source Language
en
Tort Law Civil Procedure Fatal Accidents Quantum of Damages Loss of Dependency Loss of Expectation of Life Loss of Consortium Apportionment of Liability

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Parties

Ezekiel Muraya Wachira

Appellant

White Sky Investment Limited

Appellant

Naomi Jepkesio Chirchir

Respondent

Julius Kemei Kimeli Miso

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the trial Court erred in its award of damages for loss of dependency, loss of expectation of life and loss of consortium.
  2. 2 Whether the award under the Law Reform Act and the Fatal Accidents Act amounts to double compensation.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that the trial magistrate erred in adopting a multiplicand of Kshs 20,000 for loss of dependency without sufficient evidence of the deceased's earnings or occupation. The court held that, in the absence of proof, the minimum wage should be applied, and adopted Kshs 10,000 as a fair estimate based on the appellants' own submissions. The awards for pain and suffering (Kshs 20,000) and loss of expectation of life (Kshs 150,000) were found to be within reasonable limits and not so excessive as to warrant interference. The award for loss of consortium was set aside, as the law does not permit such an award where death is instantaneous. On the issue of double compensation,...

Court Disposition

Appeal partially allowed. Awards for loss of dependency and loss of consortium varied; other awards and liability apportionment upheld. Each party to bear own costs.

Orders

  • Judgment of the trial court set aside and substituted as follows: Pain & suffering Kshs 20,000; Loss of expectation of life Kshs 150,000; Loss of dependency Kshs 1,600,000; Funeral expenses and Ad Litem Kshs 71,400; Gross total Kshs 1,841,400; Less 15% contribution Kshs 276,210; Net total Kshs 1,565,190.
  • Award for loss of consortium set aside.