Kimanzi & 2 others (Appealing as the Secretary, Chairman and Treasurer of Kwa Kiluvi Wetland Maintenance and Reservation Committee) v Mumo & 2 others (Miscellaneous Application E003 of 2023) [2023] KEELC 17543 (KLR) (18 May 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation:
[2023] KEELC 17543 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
Miscellaneous Application E003 of 2023
LG Kimani, J
May 18, 2023
Between
Fredrick Kimanzi
1st Applicant
Mwasi Nzenge
2nd Applicant
Mary Mwendwa
3rd Applicant
Appealing as the Secretary, Chairman and Treasurer of Kwa Kiluvi Wetland Maintenance and Reservation Committee
and
Kitema Mumo
1st Respondent
Ndemwa Mwasya
2nd Respondent
Kithongo Kiru
3rd Respondent
(An application for extension of time to file an appeal out of time from the Judgment of the Magistrate’s Court at Kyuso by Hon. John Aringo-SRM dated 27{{^th}} July 2022 in Kyuso ELC Case 11 of 2019.)
Ruling
1.This ruling is in respect of the Notice of Motion dated 17th of February 2023 which seeks the following orders:1.Spent2.This Honourable Court be pleased to grant leave to the Applicants/Intended Appellants to appeal out of time against the Judgment of the Honourable Magistrate John Aringo, Senior Resident Magistrate in Kyuso M.ELC Number 11 of 2019 and Judgment delivered on 27th July 2022.3.That this Honourable Court be pleased to stay execution of the Judgment and Decree in Kyuso M.ELC Number 11 of 2019 pending the hearing and determination of this application and intended appeal therein.SUBPARA 4.The costs of this application be provided for.
2.The application is supported by the affidavit of the 1st Applicant sworn on behalf of all Applicants. It is founded on the grounds that judgment was entered in Kyuso Court MELC 11 of 2019 on 27th of July, 2022 in favour of the Respondent and against the Applicants whereby a permanent injunction was issued barring the Applicants from interfering with the suit land and costs were awarded to the Respondents. Being aggrieved by the said decision, the Applicants applied for copies of judgment and proceedings and stay of execution on the same date. They stated that they followed up on the copies of judgment and proceedings but their efforts were futile and the said documents were only obtained on 25th January, 2023, six months after payment of court fees.
3.The Applicants contend that the delay in filing the appeal is excusable since it was not attributed to them. They further claim that there is no order of stay of execution and the Respondents have filed a party and party bill of costs meaning that execution is imminent.
4.The Applicants have stated that the Memorandum of Appeal raises fundamental triable issues of law and triable issues which can only be canvassed when the intended appeal is heard on merit. They have added that they are officials of Kwa Kiluvi Wetland Reservation Committee which is not a legal person and has no assets therefore they will be personally condemned to pay the bill of costs. The Applicants have come to this court having the discretionary power being the only recourse available to them.
The Respondents’ Case
5.The 1st Respondent swore a Replying affidavit on behalf of all Respondents deposing that there was inordinate delay in bringing this application and the Applicants have not attached any documents or any evidence to prove that they actually followed up on the judgment and proceedings after requesting for the same. They also highlighted that the Applicants have failed to attach a certificate of delay executed by the Court, stating that this would be the only conclusive evidence that the proceedings and judgment were not ready earlier. The Respondents term this application as a knee-jerk reaction to the upcoming taxation of the Bill of Costs.
6.In further response, the 1st Respondent deposed that the Applicants were at liberty at any time to seek stay of execution and could have sought it orally from the trial court at the reading of the judgment or thereafter through a formal application. The Respondents state that this is a last-ditch effort by the Applicants to deny them the fruit of their judgment.
7.They contend that the Intended Appeal does not raise any arguable issues and then proceed to dissect each ground and why it should fail. Their position is that the application is a malicious attempt at preventing them from enjoying the fruits of their judgment and that they are going to suffer irreparable harm since they are in the process of executing for the costs that they are owed and are entitled to.
The Applicants’ written submissions
8.The Applicants submitted that there is an imminent threat of execution since the proceedings to tax the bill are ongoing and unless the Court intervenes the Applicants will suffer irreparable loss and the intended appeal will be rendered nugatory. Citing Order 42 Rule 6 of the Civil Procedure Rules [2010], counsel submitted that stay of execution is issued if the court is satisfied that substantial loss may result and the application has been made without unreasonable delay. They relied on the holding in the case of Butt vs Rent Restriction Tribunal [1979] where the court held that the power of the court to grant or refuse stay of execution pending appeal is discretionary.
9.On the element of substantial loss, the Applicants reiterated that the Wetland Reservation Committee is not a legal person and has no assets and will be personally condemned to pay costs awarded and the appeal will be rendered nugatory. They cited the case of Samuel Murigi Waigwa v Francis Babu Mwangi [2020]eKLR .
10.With regard to security for costs, they relied on the case of Focin Motorcycle Co. Ltd vs Ann Wambui Wangui & Another [2018] eKLR where the Court held that it is sufficient for the Applicant to state that he is ready to provide security of costs or to propose the kind of security.
11.On whether leave to file the appeal out of time should be granted, counsel quoted Section 79G of the Civil Procedure Act and relied on the holding in the case of First American Bank of Kenya Ltd vs Gulab P. Shah & 2 others [2002]1EA that was cited with approval in the case of Julius Thuranira Laichena v Mwontune M’laichena & 5 others [2021] eKLR outlining the principles for extension time to file an appeal.
12.The applicant submitted that the intended appeal raises fundamental questions to wit; whether the wetland in dispute is part of unregistered community land and is it to be held by the County Government as a trustee.
13.The Applicants submit that the Respondents cannot suffer any damage that is incapable of compensation in costs for any prejudice that they may suffer. They pleaded their right to fair trial in Article 50(1) of the Constitution and access to justice under Article 48.
The Respondents’ submissions
14.Counsel for the Respondents submitted that the delay that the explanation for the delay was not evidenced by proof that they followed up on the judgment and typed proceedings. They relied on the criteria for granting leave to file an appeal out of time as given in the case of Nicholas Kiptoo Arap Korir Salat v Independent Electoral and Boundaries Comission& 7 others [2014] eKLR as well as the case of Thuita Mwangi v Kenya Airways Ltd [2003] eKLR.
15.The Respondents also relied on the Supreme Court case of County Executive of Kisumu v County Government of Kisumu & 8 others [2017] eKLR where the Court mentioned that delay in getting typed proceedings is not a prima facie panacea for a case of delay whenever it is pleaded but each case must be determined on its own merit and the same position was taken in the case of Paul Mutinda Muembi v Clement Argwings Obado& 2 others [2022] eKLR.
16.Regarding the arguability of the Appeal, counsel relied on the case of NIC Bank Limited & 2 others v Mombasa Water Products Ltd [2021] eKLR where the Court re-stated what constitutes an arguable appeal. Counsel submits that the issues raised in the Applicants’ Memorandum of Appeal are not arguable and they proceeded to give grounds for their stand on this.
17.The Respondents submitted that the they will suffer immense loss if the orders are granted since the Bill of Costs in the lower court is on the verge of being taxed and that they have a right to enjoy the fruits of their litigation which must come to an end as they relied on the case of Kenya Shell Limited v Benjamin Karuga Kibiru & Another [1986] eKLR .
18.On the question of unreasonable delay, the Respondents submit that the Applicants have brought this application eight months after delivery of the judgment without any good excuse for doing so.
19.Further, counsel submitted that the Applicants have not given any evidence of having deposited any security as required by Order 42 Rule 6(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules and quoted from the case of Nganga Kabae v Kahunyo Kimani [2005] eKLR that stay should have security.
Analysis and Determination
20.The Applicants seek extension of time for filing an Appeal and a stay of execution of the judgment delivered by Hon. Aringo SRM on the 27th July 2022. The Applicants state that even though they applied for copies of typed proceedings and judgment it took them till 25th January 2023 to finally acquire them. It is noted that indeed the Applicant’s Counsel did apply for copies of typed proceedings and judgment and stay of execution, but whether or not it was granted does not reflect in the proceedings attached to the application.1.Section 79G of the Civil Procedure Act CAP 21 laws of Kenya provides that the period allowed for filing an appeal from a subordinate court to the High Court is 30 days. The provision is as follows;
22.In the case of Leo Sila Mutiso v Hellen Wangari Mwangi [1999] 2 EA 231 which is the locus classicus case for extension of time, laid down the parameters as follows:
23.The Respondents also relied on the case of Nicholas Kiptoo Arap Korir Salat v Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 7 others [2014] eKLR where the Learned Judges of the Supreme Court laid down the factors to be considered in extending time for filing an appeal and quoted with approval the following cases;
24.The period of delay has been approximately seven months from the time of judgment on 27th July, 2022 to the time of filing this Application in February 2023. The Respondents contention is that the Applicants have not demonstrated any evidence that they actually followed up on the typed proceedings, pointing out that they have not annexed a Certificate of Delay to show that the proceedings were actually delayed. In the case of Mistry Premji Ganji (Investments) Limited v Kenya National Highways Authority [2019] eKLR concerning an appeal from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, the Learned Judges of Appeal held thus:
25.While the appellate rules cited in the above case only apply to appeals that lie to the Court of Appeal, the subordinate Courts can also issue certificates of delay under Section 79G of the Civil Procedure Act. The Respondent contends that there is no record that the advocate for the Applicants were following up on the typing of proceedings and why they were delayed. It is noted that the Applicants do state in the supporting affidavit that they followed up on the proceedings but the same were not typed in good time. However, the Applicants did not give any reason for not obtaining a certificate of delay. Following the above cited case of Mistry Premji Ganji (Investments) Limited (supra) the logical conclusion would be that application for extension of time would be denied for it would be too late for the Applicant to lay blame on the court registry for not typing proceedings in time and their own misapprehension of the rules on certificate of delay.
26.However, courts have held that litigants who wish to ventilate their cases should be given the opportunity to do so. In the case of: Stecol Corporation Limited v Susan Awuor Mudemba [2021] eKLR the Court held that:
27.Similarly, in Kamlesh Mansukhalal Damji Pattni v Director Of Public Prosecutions & 3 others [2015] eKLR articulated that-
28.The Court has considered Article 159(2)(d) of the Constitution of Kenya [2010] which provides for administration of justice without undue regard to procedural technicalities and further the overriding objective of the court as established by Sections 1A of the Civil Procedure Act to facilitate the just, expeditious, proportionate and affordable resolution of the civil disputes governed by the Act. Section 3A also provides for the inherent power of the court to make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of the court.
29.The Court has considered all the above cited authorities on considerations for grant of an order of extension of time for filing an appeal to this court. The Court has also considered the fact that immediately after delivery of the judgement by the trial court the Applicant’s Counsel made an oral application for certified copies of proceedings and judgement. On the same date they made a written application for the same. It can thus be concluded that from the outset the Applicants were not satisfied with the judgement of the court and immediately made moves towards obtaining the relevant documents to facilitate the commencement of an appeal. It is not clear why the Applicants did not utilize the provisions of Section 79G of the Civil Procedure Act which excludes from the computed time of 30 days for filing an appeal such period which the lower court may certify as having been requisite for the preparation and delivery to the appellant of a copy of the decree or order. A certificate of delay envisaged by that section would have saved the Applicant the trouble of making the present application. Be that as it may, the Court finds that the reason given for the delay is excusable and may not have been within the Applicants control.
30.Further, it is the courts view that the period of seven months which is said to have been taken up by the processing of proceedings and judgement is not inordinate in the circumstances of this case especially considering the imperatives of Article 159 2(d) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Sections 3 of the Environment and Land Court Act which provides for the overriding objective of the Court which is “The principal objective of this Act is to enable the Court to facilitate the just, expeditious, proportionate and accessible resolution of disputes governed by this Act.”
31.The Applicants also seek stay of execution of the Judgment of the Magistrate’s Court at Kyuso by Hon. John Aringo-SRM dated 27th July 2022 in Kyuso ELC Case 11 of 2019. The Respondents have contended that the Applicants had the opportunity to apply for stay of execution at the trial court as provided above. The record shows that counsel for the Applicants herein applied for stay of execution on the judgment date but the Court’s decision on the matter is not on record.
32.Regarding stay of execution, Order 42 Rule 6(2) provides that:
33.The case of HGE v SM [2020] eKLR quoted several authorities comprehensively regarding the application of the above cited Order 42 Rule 6 (2) of the Civil Procedure Rules and the principles governing grant or refusal of stay of execution in summary that the grant of stay of execution is discretionary and the conditions to be met as set out under Order 42 Rule 6 (2) above:
34.The purpose of stay orders is to preserve the subject matter of the appeal so as to not render it nugatory. However, the court should weigh this right against the rights of a successful litigant who should not be deprived of the fruits of his/her judgment. The court is also called upon to ensure that no party suffers prejudice that cannot be compensated by an award of costs and a balance of the interests of the Appellant and the successful litigant must be found. This position was reiterated by the court in RWW v EKW [2019] eKLR, where the court stated as above and added that:
35.The court notes that the substantive order that was issued by the Trial Court is contained in the last part of the judgement where it stated; “In the circumstances, a permanent injunction do issue against the Defendant in terms of prayer 3 of the amended Plaint dated 23rd February 2021. The Plaintiffs will also get costs of the suit.” The Applicant did not attach a copy of the amended plaint or the decree and the Court is not in a position to confirm the exact terms of the order. More importantly the Applicant did not complain or specifically show how execution of the order of permanent injunction affected them or that substantial loss will result if execution proceeds.
36.The Applicants seem to be more apprehensive of the process of taxation of the bill of costs filed by the Respondents and which the Applicants claim is likely to be executed against them in person since Kwa Kiluvi Wetland maintenance and Reservation Committee is not registered.
37.In the current scenario, the Applicants claim the taxation of the Respondents’ bill of costs should not proceed as it will prejudice them. The Deponent indicated that they were sued as officials of an unregistered body which has no funds to pay the amount in the bill of costs. They claim that they cannot be held personally responsible for the committees’ debt and that for that reason they will suffer irreparable loss. However, it is noted that the bill of costs has not been taxed and the amount of costs ascertained. At this point in time there is no known amount of costs capable of execution and on which the Applicants can claim they will suffer irreparable loss. The Applicants have also not indicated what prejudice they stand to suffer if the taxation of the Bill of Costs proceeds and neither have they offered any security for any taxed costs. In any event absence of the taxed costs there is no basis upon which this court can order security to be provided by the Applicants for the due performance of their obligations under the decree.
38.In the Courts view, what the Applicant seeks is more of stay of proceedings of taxation of the Bill of Costs instead of stay of execution. The Court is not convinced that the application for stay of execution has merit. The Court is pursuaded by the arguments in the case of Deposit Protection Fund v Rosaline Njeri Macharia [2006] eKLR, where the Court while dealing with an application of stay of taxation proceedings, observed as follows:
39.For the foregoing reasons the Court finds that the application dated 17th of February 2023 partly succeeds and the following orders are made;1.Leave be and is hereby granted to the Applicants/Intended Appellants to appeal out of time against the Judgment of the Honourable Magistrate John Aringo, Senior Resident Magistrate in Kyuso M.ELC Number 11 of 2019 and Judgment delivered on 27th July 2022.2.The Appeal to be filed within 7 days from the date hereof3.Prayer 3 is hereby dismissed4.Costs of this application to be borne by the Applicant and paid to the Respondents.
Delivered, dated and signed at Kitui this 18th day of May, 2023.HON. L. G. KIMANIENVIRONMENT AND LAND COURT JUDGE - KITUIRuling read in open court and virtually in the presence of-Musyoki Court AssistantMwikali for the ApplicantsFatma holding brief for M/s Mutemi for the Respondents