JOEO v SOOA [2023] KEMC 195 (KLR)

JOEO v SOOA (Divorce Cause E1352 of 2020) [2023] KEMC 195 (KLR) (5 June 2023) (Judgment)

Neutral citation: [2023] KEMC 195 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts

Divorce Cause E1352 of 2020

JP Aduke, SRM

June 5, 2023

Between

JOEO

Petitioner

and

SOOA

Respondent

Judgment

1. The Petitioner filed the petition dated 10th November 2020 seeking a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, neglect and irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Return of service on record shows that the respondent was served with the petition and annexures thereto. The respondent entered appearance and filed an answer to the petition. These proceedings proceeded defended.

2. The brief fact of the case are as contained in the petition and answer to petition on record. In summary, JOEO and SOOA solemnized their marriage in Kenya on 2nd December 2009 at the Office of the Attorney General. Both the respondent and the petitioner are domiciled in Kenya. They have two issues together from the union. The parties have no intentions of salvaging this marriage. The particulars of the grounds for divorce are outlined in the petition as follows:1. Irreconcilable differences /Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage;2. Cruelty;3. Neglect;

3. At the hearing thereof, the petitioner relied on the petition and pleadings on record as evidence in support of the petition for divorce. Notably, the petitioner averred that the contents of the petition remained true as at the date of the hearing. The petitioner prayed that the petition be allowed as prayed. The respondent equally testified and prayed for an order of divorce to issue.

4. The issue for determination before this court is whether or not the marriage between the parties merits an order of divorce under The Marriage Act, 2014 (hereafter, the Act).

5. The applicable law is s.66 of the Act (dissolution of Civil Marriages) which provides that the court may grant separation or divorce on the following grounds:1. adultery by the other spouse;2. cruelty by the other spouse;3. exceptional depravity by the other spouse;4. desertion by the other spouse for at least 3 years;5. the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

6. I have considered the particulars of the grounds outlined in the petition and how those have contributed to the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as contemplated under s.66 of the Act. I have also noted the length of physical separation of the couple herein (2020 to date), the very high levels of antagonism between the parties during the pendency of this suit and relied on the reasoning of the court in JSM vs ENB[2015]. With respect to intention to salvage the union, I have noted the unequivocal terms of para 9 of the Petition and the prayers in the answer to petition on record on lack of such intention. The reasoning of the court in ROK v MJB and TPH v NVS 2017 eklr cannot be emphasized enough-“marriage is a voluntary union……this court cannot by any means order or compel the parties to remain married when the petitioner has categorically stated that she wants the same dissolved…” Seeing as this court cannot force two adults to live together when there is no more love between them, I allow the petition dated 10th November 2020 on the following terms:1. the marriage between the two be and is hereby dissolved.2. Decree nisi do issue to be made absolute in 30 days.3. With respect to prayer ii on the face of the petition, I have not seen any documentary proof that the petitioner was wholly dependent on the respondent during the pendency of the marriage. I have not seen any affidavit of statement of means filed by the petitioner. I am reluctant to grant any orders in this regard;4. With respect to prayer iv on the face of the petition, I direct that the petitioner file a suit before the Children Court Nairobi within 30 days from today to pursue appropriate reliefs. In the meantime, the current status on custody be maintained for a period of 30 days from the date of this judgment.5. This being a family matter, each party to bear their own costs.

ADUKE JEAL PRAXADES ATIENOSENIOR RESIDENT MAGISTRATEJUDGEMENT SIGNED AT NAIROBI THIS 05TH JUNE 2023 IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PARTIES AT 12. 30PM.In the presence of :Court Assistant: Benjamin KombeCounsel for the Petitioner-Counsel for the Respondent: