Rentworks East Africa Limited v Arodi & 2 others (Civil Appeal E143 of 2021) [2022] KEHC 15687 (KLR) (23 November 2022) (Judgment)
Neutral citation:
[2022] KEHC 15687 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
Civil Appeal E143 of 2021
RE Aburili, J
November 23, 2022
Between
Rentworks East Africa Limited
Appellant
and
Hezborne Onyango Arodi
1st Respondent
Office of the Inspector General
2nd Respondent
Attorney General
3rd Respondent
(An appeal from the judgement and decree of Hon R.K Sang P.M in Nyando SPMCC No. 4 of 2017 delivered on 15th June, 2021)
Judgment
1.The subject of this appeal is palpable from paragraph 5 of the amended plaint in which the 1st respondent who was the plaintiff in the lower court pleaded his cause of action as follows:
2.The 1st respondent attributed the occurrence of the accident to the then defendants’ negligence and the 2nd respondent vicariously liable.
3.The defendants entered appearance and filed their statements of defence denying negligence attributed to them. They also attributed the occurrence of the accident to the plaintiff’s own negligence which they pleaded.
4.The evidence adduced before the trial court was as follows: Hezborne Oyango Arodi, the 1st respondent herein and the plaintiff in the trial court testified as PW-1 and recalled that on the material day, he was driving his motor vehicle along the Ahero-Kisumu road when he was hit by the appellant’s motor vehicle. According to him, the appellant’s vehicle was being driven on the wrong lane of the road and its headlights were off.
5.As a result of the accident, the plaintiff/1st Respondent’s vehicle was written off. He also sustained serious injuries and that he remained in the ICU for one week and later 2 weeks in the surgical ward. At the time of testifying, he could not use his hand fully and that his ribs had not fully healed.
6.PW-2 Prof Were Okombo testified that the 1st respondent had been examined by one Dr. Okumu in the year 2016 and the examination showed that he had sustained both soft and bone tissue injuries from which he had not fully recovered at the time of examination. He recommended afurther treatment. The medical report and the X-ray report were both produced as exhibits.
7.PW-3 PC William Rono testified and produced the police abstract which indicated that the Driver of GKB 140J was to blame for the accident.
8.PW-4 Eliud Mungai Mureithi produced the assessment report placing the cost of repairs of the plaintiff/1st Respondent’s motor vehicle at Kshs 851,320/ although the vehicle was not repaired. he testified that had the motor vehicle been repaired, it could take approximately 24 days.
9.The defence closed their case without calling any witness. The trial court after considering the evidence adduced by the plaintiff found the defendants jointly and severally liable at 100% and awarded the plaintiff damages as follows:Liability 100% jointly and severallyGeneral damages Kshs 1,800,000/=special damages Kshs 8,000/=costs of KAQ 633U Kshs 900,000/=TOTAL Kshs 2, 708,000
10.Aggrieved by the judgment and award of the trial court, the appellant herein preferred this appeal which is anchored on the following grounds:1.The learned trial magistrate erred in law by failing to determine that issues regarding material damage to property cannot be dealt with as special damages as pleaded by the respondent.2.The learning trial magistrate erred in law and fact by exercising his discretion to award extremely high amounts of money in general damages which amounts do not conform to the injuries allegedly sustained by the respondent.3.The learned trial magistrate erred in law by failing to give a reasoning on how he arrived at the apportionment of liability at 100% against the appellant.4.In totality, the appellants herein were not accorded fair hearing.
11.This appeal was canvassed by way of written submissions. On behalf of the appellant, it was submitted on the first ground of appeal that the plaintiff had not repaired the motor vehicle and that therefore there was no basis for the reimbursement of an amount not spent. The authorities in Capital Fish Kenya Limited v The Kenya power and Lighting company limited (2016)eKLR, David Bagine v Martin Bundi (1997) eKLR and Jackson Mwabili v Peterson Mateli (2020) eKLR were relied on in support of that argument.
12.On the second ground, was submitted that the general damages awarded do not indicate the basis upon which the same were arrived at and that the trial court thus abused its discretion by failing to consider the authorities cited by the appellant. In this regard; ASAL v Muge and Another (2001) eKLR, Butt v Khan w(1981) KLR, 349, Shabani v City Council of Nairobi (1985) KLR, 516 have been cited in support.
13.On the third ground, counsel for the appellant submitted, faulting the trial magistrate for failing to set out the issues for determination and arguing that the judgement therefore fell short of the mandatory provisions of Order 21 Rule 4 and 5 and Section 78 of the Civil Procedure Act.
14.On the fpowers of an appellate court, counsel or the appellant relied on the cases of Selle & Another v Associated Motor Boat Co. Ltd & Others 1968 E.A. 123, Edward Kiiru & another v Blackwood Hodge (K) Limited [2019] eKLR, Butt V Khan (1981)KLR, 349, Shabani case (supra) to support the orders that the appellate court can grant in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction.
15.In urging the court to interfere with the awards made and substitute the same with a sum of Kshs. 600,000, counsel for the appellant relied on the following authorities: Mwavita Jonathan v Silvia Onunga (2017) eKLR, Joseph Mwangi Thuita v Joyce Mwole (2018) eKLR, Pauline Gesare Onami v Samuel Changamure & Another (2017) eKLR and Sammy Mugo Kinyanjui & Another v Kairo Thuo (2017) eKLR.
16.The 1st respondent’s submissions answered the issues as presented in the memorandum of appeal. On the first ground, Counsel for the 1st respondent submitted that it was proven that an accident occurred in which the 1st respondent’s motor vehicle was written off. that an assessment was done and produced a report to that effect. It was submitted that in a case of damage to a motor vehicle, the specific damages be pleaded and strictly proven.
17.On the second ground of appeal, it was submitted that courts must exercise their discretion basing on the law and evidence presented, that the authorities relied upon by both parties concern both soft tissue injuries and fractures. In support of this contention, Counsel or the 1st respondent relied on the authority in Joseph Jumba Egala v Meshack Omurunga Sande (suing as legal administrator of the Estate of Sarah Makonjio Sande) [2015] eKLR for the proposition that the award was reasonable and within limits.
18.On the third ground, it was submitted that the court had the discretion to look at the evidence, pleadings and arguments tendered by both parties, before making its findings on liability which was sound in the circumstances.
19.For the 2nd and 3rd respondents, it was submitted on the ground that the trial magistrate erred by awarding excessive general damages given the injuries that in awarding the general damages the court took into account irrelevant factors and the award is inordinately high. Further submission was that the trial court did not provide reasons for the award. For this proposition, counsel or the 2nd and 3rd respondents relied on the cases of: Morris Miriti v Nahashon Muriuki and Another (2018) eKLR, Gogni Construction Company Limited v Francis Ojuok Olewe (2015)eKLR, Mwavita Jonathan v Silivia Onunga (2017) eKLR.
20.On the issue of liability, it was submitted in contention that the trial court’s judgement does not conform to the requirements of Order 21 Rules 4 and 5 for want of reasons for the finding. Further reliance was placed on the definition of liability according to Blacks Law Dictionary, 10th Edition.
21.The other ground submitted on by the 2nd and 3rd respondents was that the learned trial magistrate failed to determine that material damage to property cannot be dealt with as special damages. In this regard, it was submitted in contention that special damages must be specifically pleaded and proved since they are not the direct natural or probable consequences of the act complained of. The authorities in Hahn v Singh (1985) eKLR and Capital Fish Kenya Limited (supra) were relied on in support of that argument.
Analysis and determination
22.I have considered the grounds of appeal, the evidence adduced before the trial court and the rival submissions by the parties’ respective counsel on record. The issues that can be discerned from this appeal are on the trial court’s finding on liability; the quantum of damages awarded and the propriety of the judgement rendered by the trial court.
23.The duty of the first appellate was stated in Peters v Sunday Post Limited (1958) EA 424 where Sir Kenneth O’Connor stated as follows:
24.On the issue of liability, it was held in Karanja V Melele (1983) KLR 142 that:
25.In the circumstances of this appeal, there is uncontroverted evidence that the accident occurred when the 1st respondent’s motor vehicle was hit by the 2nd respondent’s motor vehicle registration number GKB 140J while overtaking. PW-3 confirmed in his testimony that GKB 140J’s driver was to blame for the accident.
26.The defendants in the trial court tendered no evidence in rebuttal that evidence adduced by the 1st respondent plaintiff on how the accident occurred and as pleaded by him. It is now trite law that uncontroverted evidence is weighty and courts will rely on it to prove facts in dispute. The evidence cannot be controverted by allegations in the statement of defence if the defendants fail to call a witness to adduce evidence and be cross-examined to test the evidence. It follows that the statement of defence is nothing but a mere allegation. An allegation remains an allegation until it is proved to be true. The issue of uncontroverted evidence was addressed Mwongo J in the case of Peter Ngigi & Another (suing as legal representative of the Estate of Joan Wambui Ngigi) -v-Thomas Ondiki Oduor & Another 2019 eKLR where the learned judge stated, and I fully agree with him that:
27.In the instant case, the failure by the defendants to adduce evidence, not only to challenge the evidence adduced by the plaintiff now 1st respondent but to give their side of the story on how the material accident occurred must impact this appeal negatively. The defendants did not controvert the evidence tendered by the plaintiff. It is only the plaintiff who led evidence on how the accident occurred due to the manner of driving by the defendant’s driver and/or agent. In the circumstances, I find and hold that the trial magistrate’s finding on liability cannot be faulted. It was proper and accorded with the evidence tendered before him that proved liability on a balance of probabilities. I decline to interfere with the finding on liability and uphold the findings of the trial magistrate on the same.
28.On the issue of quantum, under general damages for pain and suffering on the injuries suffered, the 1st respondent submitted that he had sought Kshs 2,000,000/- based on the authorities in Hellen Atieno Oduor v S.S Mehta & sons Ltd & Muthitu Nanua (2015) eKLR and Mehari Tewoldge t/a Mehari transporters Ltd v Damus Muasya Maingi (2013)eKLR. The defendants on their part proposed the sum of kshs 500,000/- and supported by Civicon Ltd vs Richard Njomo Omwancha & 2 others (2019)eKLR.
29.The injuries sustained by the 1st respondent as pleaded in the plaint are as follows:a.Mild closed head injuryb.Blunt chest injuryc.Multiple rib fracture on right chestd.Bilateral/haemopneumothorde.Blunt abdominal trauma - lower grade liver injury with hemoperitoneumf.Closed right human’s fractureg.Multiple soft tissue/skin abrasion and contusion/bruises
30.In the medical report, the following injuries were stated to have been sustained by the plaintiff:a.Mild closed head injuryb.Blunt chest injury - multiple rib fractures on right chest- Bilateral/haemopneumothordsc.Blunt Abdominal Trauma - lower grade liver injury with hemoperitoneumd.Closed Right Human’s fracturee.Closed chest clavicular fracturef.Multiple soft tissue/skin abrasions and contusions/bruises
31.The injuries pleaded were confirmed by the medical report and the doctor who testified on the same. There was no contrary evidence to suggest that the plaintiff/ 1st respondent herein did not sustain the injuries pleaded and testified on. Those injuries in my humble view were serious and near fatal as the 1st respondent was kept in the intensive care unit for one week before being taken to the surgical ward for another week.
32.It is settled law that the award of damages is within the discretion of the trial court and the appellate court is not entitled to interfere unless the award is manifestly high or low as to represent an erroneous award as was observed in Catholic Diocese of Kisumu v Tete (2004)eKLR where it was held that:
33.I have carefully reviewed the authorities relied on by all counsel both in the trial court and in this court and find that those decisions cited by the appellant are on the lower scale. They represent injuries that are not comparable with the injuries sustained by the 1st respondent. In the circumstances, I find that the award of Kshs 1,800,000/= made by the trial magistrate was reasonable compensation to the plaintiff for the serious injuries that he sustained in the material accident.
34.On the award of special damages, the sum of Kshs 1, 108,000/= had been pleaded. However, during the trial, only one receipt Pexh 4 was produced being monies paid for preparation of the assessment report. In the circumstances, the sum of kshs 8,000/- as proved is awarded.
35.According to the assessment report and PW-4s testimony, the motor vehicle’s pre accident value was 1,100,000/-, the salvage value was Kshs 275,000/=. He also found that the cost of repairs would be Kshs 851, 324/= hence the conclusion that the vehicle was a write-off. On his part, the trial magistrate awarded Kshs 900,000/=.
36.In Permuga Auto Spares & another vs Margaret Korir Tagi [2015] eKLR, the court stated that:
37.The above position was earlier on advanced in the case of CONCORD INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED V DAVID OTIENO ALINYO & ANOTHER [2005] eKLR where the Court of Appeal while discussing the measure of damage to chattels agreed with the principles laid down by Herman LJ in Darbishire v Warran [1963] 1 WLR 1067 at page 1070 thus:
38.In Burdis v Livsey [2002] 3 WLR 702, the English Court of Appeal stated at page 792 paragraph 84:
39.It has been held in numerous cases that the purpose of compensation is not to enrich the wronged party but to bring him to the position he would have been had it not been for the tort feasor’s actions. Therefore, discounting the salvage value from the pre-accident value, the 1st respondent is entitled to the sum of Kshs 825,000/- arrived at as follows: Kshs 1,100,000-275,000=825,000/- which I hereby find to be awardable to the 1st respondent.
40.On the propriety of the judgement rendered by the subordinate court, the appellants contended that the same does not conform to the provisions of Order 21 Rule 4 and 5 which provides that:4.Judgments in defended suits shall contain a concise statement of the case, the points for determination, the decision thereon, and the reasons for such decision.5.In suits in which issues have been framed, the court shall state its finding or decision, with the reasons therefor, upon each separate decision on each issue.
41.The provisions of Section 78 of the Civil Procedure Act have also been cited and I note that the Section provides for the powers of an appellate court. Any reference to that Section for purposes of buttressing the contents of a judgement is therefore erroneous.
42.The importance of giving reasons in a judgement was stated in the English case of Flanner v. Halifaz Agencies Ltd [2001] ALL ER 273 where it was held that:
43.A similar position was stated in South Nyanza Sugar Co. Ltd v Omwando Omwando (2011) eKLR where the court stated that:
44.I have carefully perused the judgement of the trial court to ascertain whether it meets the threshold under the aforesaid provisions of the law. The learned magistrate stated in part that:
45.Section 78 of the Civil Procedure Act sets out the powers of an appellate court and these are:
46.These options are granted depending on the circumstances of each case. In the instant case, I have exercised the powers of the first appellate court in accordance with the provisions of section 78 of the Civil procedure Act, the grounds of appeal, the pleadings before the trial court, the oral testimonies of witnesses who testified and the parties’ respective submissions and I am of the view that the ends of justice would best be achieved by a final determination of the suit based on the material on record and not by the use of many words which are in my view just a style used by each judicial officer in the interest of expedition, considering the heavy workloads.
47.I find that no prejudice was occasioned to the appellant by the brevity statement used by the trial court wherein he was clear that he had considered all the pleadings, evidence and submissions before arriving at his decision that he did.
48.Iam fortified on this by the various decisions of this Court and the Court of Appeal wherein it has been held that failure to frame issues for determination is not fatal to a case as issues are joined in the pleadings.
49.In Ngugi Peter Ngumi Gichoho Alias Peter Ngumi Gichoho Ngugi v Ambrose Wanjohi Migwi T/A Migan Hardware Store Nyeri HCCA No. 138 of 2003 Sergon J stated as follows:
50.Odunga J (as he then was) added his voice on this subject and stated as follows in Moses Ndolo Ndambuki v Andrew Linge Mutua [2020] eKLRIt was accordingly held by the same Court in S N Shah vs. C M Patel and Others [1961] EA 397 that:
51.The upshot of the above is that the appeal is partially allowed in the following terms:Liability 100%General damages Kshs 1,800,000/=Special damages Kshs 8,000/=Cost of motor vehicle Kshs 825,000/=TOTAL Kshs 2,633,000/=
52.I order that each party bear their own costs of this appeal.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT KISUMU THIS 23RD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2022R.E. ABURILIJUDGE