In re HK (Minor) [2024] KEHC 3549 (KLR)

In re HK (Minor) (Adoption Cause E020 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 3549 (KLR) (5 April 2024) (Judgment)

Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 3549 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the High Court at Mombasa

Adoption Cause E020 of 2023

G Mutai, J

April 5, 2024

Between

LBAK

Applicant

and

The Little Angels Network

Respondent

Judgment

Introduction 1. The Applicant is LBAK. I will henceforth refer to her as “L”. L is the aunt of Favour HK (a child), a child of male sex born on 18th December 2010 to F KA (hereafter referred to as “F”). L and F were siblings. F is now deceased.

2. L wishes to adopt Favour HK (a child). I shall henceforth refer to the said child as “MF”. Vide an Originating Summons dated 11th December 2023, she applied for the following orders: -1. Pursuant to Article 14(4) of the Constitution of Kenya and section 7 of the Children Act, 2022, this Honourable Court be pleased to declare the child Favour HK as a Kenya citizen by birth;2. Pursuant to the provision of section 187 of the Children Act, 2022, this Honourable Court be pleased to dispense with the requirements of the consent to the adoption as required by the provisions of Section 186 of the Children Act, 2022;3. The Applicant, LBAK, be authorized to adopt Favour HK, a child;4. Upon the making of the adoption order, the child be known as FF HK;5. Upon the making of the adoption order, SWK be appointed a Legal Guardian of the child as provided for by the provisions of section 195 of the Children Act, 2022;6. Upon the making of the adoption order, the Registrar General do make an entry recording the adoption and the estimated date of birth of the child as 18th December 2010 in the Adopted Children Register as provided for by section 201 of the Children Act, 2022; and7. The costs of this application be costs in the cause.

3. In the statement in support of the Application, L described herself as a Kenyan citizen of the African race born on 13th October 1974. She is an accountant employed by WEC Lines Kenya Ltd and resides at [Particulars Witheld], within Mombasa County. L is a single Muslim lady with no children of her own. She is law-abiding, has not been charged and or convicted of any crime, is in possession of a certificate of good conduct and is not a lesbian or a homosexual. MF has been under her care and possession since 20th September 2016, when her sister, F, MF’s mother, died.

4. MF attends Qubaa Muslim School and is in Grade 6. L proposes to rename MF. FF HK if the adoption application is successful. L stated that MF is old enough to understand the adoption process and approves of it.

5. L attached to the application copies of the adopted child’s birth certificate, her national identification card, police clearance certificate, F’s death certificate, consent to give up a child for adoption signed by L’s parents’ HOK and SAK, the certificate of declaring the child free for adoption, Report to Declare a Child Free for Adoption, Preplacement Report, MF’s School Report as well as other documents which the Court has perused and considered carefully.

Court Proceedings 6. This matter came up for hearing on 15th February 2024. On the said date, Ms KRM, the proposed Guardian Ad Litem, testified. K works with a shipping company in the Human Resources and Accounts Department. She is married with 5 children. Upon being convinced of her suitability I appointed her as a Guardian Ad Litem. I ordered her to prepare and file a statutory report within 30 days of the said date upon visiting the home of the Applicant and ascertaining her suitability.

7. On 20th March 2024, the main cause came up for hearing. 5 witnesses testified. I shall set out the summary of their evidence below.

8. The first Witness wasJMW. J is a social worker with Little Angels Network. He testified that they approved the Applicant and issued a certificate that the child was free for adoption. It was his evidence that Little Angels Network approved of the proposed adoption and recommended that it be allowed.

9. The next witness was Ms KNM of the Directorate of Children Services, Mombasa County. Her directorate was served with a Court order to conduct an assessment and to write a report. She testified that they visited the home of the Applicant. It was her testimony that the proposed adoption has family support as it is a kinship adoption. The proposed legal guardian is also a family member. In the report dated 13th March 2024, filed on 18th March 2024, the Directorate recommended the adoption be allowed. The Witness noted that the Applicant and the 2 children she intends to adopt are well-bonded. The Applicant has a good home environment and lives in a 3-bedroom house.

10. The Applicant was the 3rd Witness. She testified that she wishes to adopt MF and his sister, Miss FSK, as they are children of her late sister. Miss F is 9 years old. both children school at Qubaa Muslim School. L testified that she is aware that adoption is permanent. L passionately pleaded with the Court to allow her to adopt the two children.

11. The fourth Witness was KRM, the court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem. She presented her report. K testified that she visited the applicant's home. She was satisfied with the Applicant’s home environment and stated that the adoptive children were in safe hands. Ms. M recommended the adoption.

12. The last Witness was Ms. SWK. S is the sister of the Applicant (and also of the children’s biological mother). She is the proposed Legal Guardian of the children. She is aware of the proposed adoption and is supportive. S is married with one child of her own. S testified that if L became unable to raise the children for any reason, she would step in. Her husband is aware of her commitment and is supportive.

Analysis and Determination 13. I have seen the pleadings, the supporting documents, the report of the Directorate of Children Services, and the Guardian Ad Litem. I have also heard the testimonies of the witnesses who testified in Court. The issues that call for my determination are whether the minor is available for adoption, whether the Applicant is fit to adopt him, and, most importantly, whether the adoption is in the best interest of the child.

14. This is a kinship adoption. The Applicant is the aunt of the child. The child’s mother is deceased, while his father’s present whereabouts are unknown as he was never present in the life of MF.

15. Regarding the child’s nationality, it is clear that he is of Kenyan nationality.

16. In terms of age, the minor is above six weeks and below 18 years, which provision falls within the age bracket of any adoptive child pursuant to Section 184 (b) of the Children Act, 2022. Further, Section 185(1) states that any child who is a resident of Kenya, whether born in Kenya or not, is eligible for adoption. I have no doubt the child is fit for adoption.

17. Concerning the Applicant’s suitability, she is a Kenyan citizen aged 49 years, which places her under the age bracket of not less than 25 years nor more than 65 years for an adoptive parent in compliance with Section 186(2) of the Children Act, 2022. The Applicant has been described as financially stable. She has no criminal record. Since the placement of the minor into her custody, the child has fully bonded with them. She understands the consequences of adoption and knows that once an adoption order is made, it is permanent.

18. Consequently, I have no doubt that she has met the necessary requirements to adopt MF. I am guided by the case of In re B (Baby) [2018] eKLR, where the court stated: -“I am of the considered view that weighing all factors and the evidence placed before me, the applicants are of sufficient ability to bring up the child and to furnish her with appropriate support and maintenance within their resource base available to them.”

19. On the question of whether the adoption is in the best interests of the baby, I am guided by Article 53(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Section 8(1) and (2) of the Children Act 2022 which underscores the best interests of a child as the primary consideration before making any decision concerning a child.1. Further, the court in the case of In re MA (Baby) [2021] eKLR stated: -“This court, in the case of In re B (Baby) [2018] eKLR, held that the purpose of Kenya’s Constitution and Children’s Act is to protect and promote the welfare of Children by providing them with stable family units. The fundamental concern, therefore, in every adoption cause is the best interest of that very child.”

21. As stated earlier, MF’s mother died. His father’s present whereabouts are unknown; he has never played any role in MF’s life. In the circumstances, he needs basic necessities like food, shelter, education and clothing, which the Applicant has stepped in to provide. From the evidence adduced, he has fully integrated with Applicant. It is obviously in the child's best interests that this adoption application is allowed. I am guided by the case of In re IK (Child) [2020] eKLR, where the court stated:-“She needs parental care to grow up as a normal child with emotional and physical protection, which the applicants have stepped in to offer. In that regard, the applicants meet the legal requirements for adoption. Further, all reports recommended adoption for the benefit and well-being of the child. As the Constitution and the law state, in all matters concerning a child, the child's best interests are paramount.”

Disposition 22. Based on the foregoing, I find and hold that the adoption application has merits. Consequently, I issue the following orders:-1. Favour HK (a child) is hereby declared a Kenyan citizen by birth;2. The Consent of the biological father of Favour HK (a child) is hereby dispensed with;3. The Applicant, LBAK, is hereby authorised to adopt Favour HK (a child);4. Favour HK (a child) shall from the date hereof be known as FF HK;5. SWK is hereby appointed as the Legal Guardian of FF HK and entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of him in the event that the Applicant becomes deceased or is otherwise permanently unable to take care of FF HK before he attains the age of majority;6. The Registrar General is hereby ordered to make an entry recording the adoption order made herein and the date of birth of FF HK as being 18th December 2010, in the Adopted Children’s Register; and7. The Guardian Ad Litem, KRM, is hereby discharged.

23. Orders accordingly.

DATED AND SIGNED THIS 5TH DAY OF APRIL 2024 AT MOMBASA.………………………………….GREGORY MUTAIJUDGEIn the presence of: -Ms. Katisya for the Applicant;No appearance for the Respondent; andArthur - Court Assistant.