Judy Njura Kathuri & Pascalla Nyaboke Agade (suing as the legal representative and administratrix of the estate of Thomas Vuhiru Agade v Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited [2017] KEHC 572 (KLR) | Negligence | Esheria

Judy Njura Kathuri & Pascalla Nyaboke Agade (suing as the legal representative and administratrix of the estate of Thomas Vuhiru Agade v Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited [2017] KEHC 572 (KLR)

Full Case Text

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA

AT NAIROBI

CIVIL CASE NO.  250 OF 2009

JUDY NJURA KATHURI AND PASCALLA NYABOKE AGADE

(suing as the legal representative and administratrix of the estate

Of THOMAS VUHIRU AGADE......................................................PLAINTIFF

VERSUS

KENYA POWER & LIGHTING COMPANY LIMITED...............DEFENDANT

JUDGMENT

1.  On the night of 30th April 2004, the deceased (Thomas Vuhiru Agade) an advocate of the high Court of Kenya aged 36 years and seeking for employment in the Judiciary was electrocuted along a path within the Kenya Institute of Administration (now Kenya School of Government) where he was staying with his cousin. The plaintiffs brought this suit as the widow and the mother of the deceased on behalf of themselves and on behalf of other dependants of the deceased estate. They filed the suit at the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Nairobi Milimani Commercial Courts under Civil Suit Case No.3636 of 200but later the suit was transferred to this court Vide NAIROBI HCCC MISC CIVIL APPLICATION NO.13 OF 2008 and an order of the court dated 9th June, 2008 seeking:

(a) General damages under the Law Reform Act Cap 26 Laws of Kenya and the Fatal Accident Act Cap 32 Laws of Kenya.

(b) Special damages

(c) Costs of the suit plus interests thereon.

2.  The 2nd Plaintiffs testified on oath and adopted her witness statement filed in court on 17/9/2014. She stated that she was Pascalia Nyaboke Agade living in Daraja Mbili, Kisii County. She was a retired teacher. She testified that at the time of his demise, he had been invited for an interview of magistrate in Nairobi and that as he returned home, he was electrocuted and died on the sport. She stated that the deceased was born in 1968. Further, that although he was married, since the initiation of this case the widow Judy Njura disappeared with her baby boy and has never communicated with her.

3.  She stated that if she gets damages, she will include Judy and her son

4.  It was PW1’s testimony that Kenya Power and Lighting live wires were found to be on the ground. That it was raining at the time of the accident and that Kenya Power had been notified of the fallen wires. She testified that he was of good reputation. She denied that her son partook of alcohol. She stated that she received information of her son’s death from her daughter. She stated that the deceased Thomas Vuhiru Agade was her only son and second born who had studied law in India. At the time of his death, he had completed Kenya School of Law and had been admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya

5.  She asked the court to give her damages because she expected her son to take care of her. That he could have become a judge and that as she was old and sickly, she would depend on his support. The plaintiff produced exhibits which included school certificates, birth certificate, university degree and transcripts, certificate of admission to the Bar, letters of administration, photographs of the deceased when he was alive and dead, among others, as exhibits 1-29.  She stated that her son was not yet employed. She identified his body in the mortuary. Her exhibits which were filed as a bundle were produced in evidence without any objection from the defense counsel Miss Kairu. They were all marked as P Ex 1-29.

6.  In cross examination by Miss Kairu counsel for the defendant, the witness responded affirming the she was the 2nd plaintiff and produced her national identity card. She also maintained that the deceased was her son. She also showed the birth certificate of the deceased to the court and his date of birth was confirmed to be 5/8/1968.

7.  She stated that she had kept all her late son’s certificate from primary school up to University. She further stated that the deceased was also called Ben but he never used that name much. She further stated that he was not officially married but lived with Judy and they both had a son together and that Judy had the child’s documents. She did not know whether in his obituary, it had been indicated that he had a wife.

8.  She stated that he lived in Kisii and was unemployed then but that he had come to Nairobi to do an interview as a magistrate. She expected him to get a job and support her.

9.  PW1 stated that she was told that the deceased delayed to arrive home because of the heavy rains not because he was drinking. She stated that he lived with his cousin at Kabete.

10. The plaintiff’s claim is based on  evidence that on or about the night of 30th April, 2004 and  the early morning of 1st May, 2004, the deceased was walking on a footpath linking University of Nairobi Lower Kabete Campus with the Kenya Institute of Administration where he was electrocuted. The suit was initially filed before the Chief Magistrate’s Court under Court File Reference No 3635 of 2007 but was on the 9th June, 2008 transferred to the High Court. She stated that she would look for the deceased’s wife and child and bring them home.

11. In reexamination by Miss Nyang, the plaintiff stated that the obituary for the deceased was written by the funeral committee and that she would have included the widow and child if she knew that the two had been omitted therefrom.

12. PW2 Amos Okello Omusolo testified on oath and adopted his witness statement recorded on 17/9/2014. He stated that he was an employee of Kenya School of Government as an internal security officer. He recalled that on 30/4/2009 he was on duty and that it was raining heavily. At midnight there was blackout and reaching the morning at 6. 00am he received a report that a man had been electrocuted by a live wire. He went to the scene and found that the matter had already been reported to Spring Valley Police Station. He found the deceased lying down. The Police came and took his body to the Police Station.

13. PW2 stated that the wires that killed the deceased were there as at 29th April 2009 and were reported to the KPLC vide Ref 408681 at 3pm and that even after killing the deceased, they remained there for 2 more days is when KPLC carried them away. He denied that his employer institution was to blame for the accident. He blamed the defendant for negligently failing to remove live wires from the ground. He also stated that the deceased was blameless because he was using a road which was near a residential area. He stated that although he did not know what time the deceased died, but that had the problem been rectified, the accident could not have occurred. He denied hearing that the deceased took alcohol.

14. On being cross examined by Miss Kairu counsel for the defendant, PW2 showed the court his passport for identification and that he was still an employee of Kenya School of Government (KSG). He stated that he was not present when the accident occurred but was informed of the accident by his boss who received information from residents. He stated that he could tell if the deceased was in a drunken state. He stated that he was a resident of that area and knew that the wires remained on site for four days. Further, he maintained that the deceased was found lying on the live wires.

15. On being reexamined by Miss Nyang, PW2 stated that he had come to testify in his capacity as an employee of KSG. He stated that the KSG reported the loose wires to KPLC and confirmed the death and that the wires were only removed from the scene after the deceased’s death. He maintained that he identified the deceased at the scene which was an ordinary path used by residents.

16. On being asked by the court, the witness stated that he was present when the deceased’s body was removed from the scene. On being questioned by Miss Kairu he stated that he remained at the institution after removal of the body.

17. The plaintiff also called PW3 No. 234468 Chief Inspector Juliana Wanyama who testified on oath and stated that she was the Officer in charge of Crime(OIC) at the Spring Valley Police Station.PW3 produced a police abstract and an extract of the O.B No. 18 of 1st May, 2004. PW3 stated that a report of an accident through electrocution was made to the Police stated by phone by one William Kosgei and that the officers on duty proceeded to the scene and found the deceased electrocuted. The OCPD Mr. Wanzala also went to the scene and confirmed the death. The body was photographed and taken to the City Mortuary.PW3 stated that the report was of a defaulted live wire and that it had rained in the night. That the report also said that the deceased was passing through the route between Kabete Campus and KIA at around 2. am when he was electrocuted.

18. She denied receiving any report from KPLC on the incident upon which the station issued police abstract of the occurrence of the accident. She produced the Police extracts of OB No18/1/5/2004 as PEx 29 and maintained that the report says the deceased died due to electrocution. She stated that if the situation could have been remedied earlier, the accident could not have happened. She found no reason to attribute blame to the deceased.

19. In cross examination by Miss Kairu the witness stated that she was the OCS and that the report was received at 2 am but that she never went to the scene. She stated that the OB is the official document. She denied being the investigating officer as she was not at the station then. She stated that she did not know whether the path was a common path but that there are two institutions apart. She stated that the report says the deceased was passing when he came in contact with the live electric wires which had fallen.

20. In reexamination by Miss Nyang, PW3 stated that the report also says the deceased was taken to the City Mortuary and that the report further says the deceased came into contact with live wire and die. She stated that police records remain even after the officers leave the station.

21. At the close of the plaintiff’s case, the defendant KPLC called one witness DW1 Peer Njenga Kiarie who testified on oath that he was an employee of KPLC and worked a s a foreman. That he had worked for more than 30 years. He stated that he was the team leader at the time of the accident and use to lead teams and attends to temporary emergencies, repair jumpers, droppers and replace fuse carriers among other tasks.

22. DW1 testified that on 30th April 2004, at Kenya Institute of Administration, KIA now KSG,  Kabete, a tree branch fell on the power line which fell on the ground and someone reported to KPLC offices call center but not to the witness directly. He stated that it had been raining heavily on the material night and that there was power failure hence the power line fell because of heavy rains. He denied that KPLC had planted the trees that fell on the power line. The witness stated that he went on site and isolated and disconnected the switch but never saw anyone electrocuted and neither did he receive any report of electrocution. He stated that they learned of the accident upon being served with summons in this case. He maintained that the power line was repaired and that nobody was electrocuted.

23. In cross examination by Miss Nyang, the witness for the defense stated that the repairs were done at 8. 00pm by only removing the fuse. He confirmed that the report was relayed to their call center and that after removal of the low voltage fuse, there was no way the line could have been live to electrocute a person. He stated that he did not have any proof that he removed the fuse. He denied that he had any work sheet to show the assignment he did on the material day.

24. On being shown the deceased’s photographs he stated that he was seeing them for the first time. He stated that the insurance department instructed the defense advocates to defend the suit. He stated that if an accident occurred then it was because of heavy rains which caused trees to fall on power lines. He could not tell who was to blame for the accident. He stated that investigations in to the incident were carried out. He stated that as KPLC they owe a duty of ensuring safety of members of the public. He stated that they did not consult KIA administration when they went to repair the faulty live but that he found a watchman at the gate.

25. He stated that the line was inside a shamba and that there was a small path but that he never took any information that anyone was electrocuted. He admitted that no restrictions were placed on the path after removing the fuse.

26. In reexamination by Miss Kairu, DW1 stated that the accident occurred on 30th April 2004 but that he only learnt of the accident in 2007. He stated that they could still have carried out investigations after 3 years but that the deceased was long gone.

27.  He stated that KIA was a learning but denied being aware of any restrictions of movement in the institution. He stated that the report was of power failure so he went and removed low voltage fuse which kills the line. He stated that he saw lines on the ground, tested them using low voltage tester, left when the line was clear and that lines were repaired later. He stated that he did not know whether KPLC blamed KIA for the accident and maintained that trees were not planted by KPLC and that neither did they cause trees to fall on the lines. He stated that in removing the fuses they prevented other dangers.

28. On being questioned by the court, and on being shown the deceased’s photograph, DW1 stated that the person could not have been electrocuted if the wires he was lying on were dead. He stated that after removal of the low voltage wires, they coiled them and fixed them up. He stated that once the fuses are removed it’s impossible for the current to flow.

29. At the close of the defense case the parties’ advocates filed written submissions to canvass the issues raised in the suit. The plaintiff’s counsel filed her written submissions on 26th January, 2016 whereas the defendant’s counsels filed written submissions on 22nd February, 2016.

30. On liability, Miss Nyang submitted that the defendant was wholly liable for the accident as it never repaired and or removed the live electric wires which fell after the heavy rains and that there was evidence that the wires remained on site two days after the accident. Further, that there was no evidence that the defendant ever switched off the lines as no work sheet was exhibited. Further, that the defendant never pursued the third party proceedings against KIA whom they blamed for the accident. That despite a report made to KPLC they never took action until after the deceased was electrocuted.

31. Counsel urged the court to find the defendant 100% liable in negligence it was submitted that the plaintiff was entitled to damages under the heads: Pain and Suffering: - reliance was placed on:

(i) NBI HCCC NO.2383 OF 1991, Judgment on 12th March, 1992 Farida Hoareau Vs Patrick Arap Ruto & Another where the deceased died instantly. She was awarded Kshs.10,000. 00 for pain and Suffering;

(ii) NBI HCCC NO.2399 OF 1989, Judgment on 28th November, 1991 Eva Benta Okembo Vs Kimotho KibiraThe deceased herein died instantly. She was awarded Kshs.10,000. 00 for pain and  suffering

32. It was submitted that considering the time lapse since the above cited judgments were made and the current inflation rate the sum of Kshs.100,000. 00 under this head should be awarded as adequate compensation to the plaintiffs.

33. On loss of expectation of life,reliance was placed on following  authorities:

(i) NBI HCCC NO.5255 OF 1989, Judgment on 22nd October, 1993 John Njoroge Njuguna Vs Henry Kithaka Ireri where the deceased was aged 35years old,Kshs.75,000. 00 was awarded for loss of expectation of life;

(ii) NBI HCCC NO.2774 OF 1992, Judgment on 14th June, 1992 Pauline Kulola Mwadime Vs Dancun Mwandago Mwikamba where the deceased was aged 35years old,Kshs.60,000. 00 was awarded for loss of expectation of life.

34. It was submitted that  considering the time lapse since the above cited judgments were made and the current inflation rate the sum of Kshs.200,000. 00 under this head as an adequate compensation to the plaintiffs was proposed.

35. On lost years, reliance was placed on

(i) NBI HCCC NO.2774 OF 1992, Judgment on 14th June, 1992 Pauline Kulola Mwadime Vs Dancun Mwandago Mwikambawhere the deceased was aged 35years old at the time of death and married with 3children. A multiplier of 20 years was adopted against a dependency ratio of 2/3;

(ii) NBI HCCC NO.3739 OF 1992, Judgment on 10th February, 1993 Rebecca Kiambi Amondi Vs East African Road Services Limited where the deceased was aged 38years old at the time of death. A multiplier of 15 yearswas adopted against a dependency ratio of 2/3.

(iii) NBI HCCC NO.4485 OF 1989, Judgment on 3rd February, 1993 Pherice Kirimani Vs Timothy Njiru, the deceased was aged 45years old at the time of death a. A multiplier of 16 years was adopted against a dependency ratio of 2/3.

(iv) MOMBASA HCCC NO.338 OF 2010, Judgment on 24th May, 2012 Stella Kanini Jackson & Another Vs K.P & L Co. Ltd.The deceased was aged 36years old at the time of death a. A multiplier of 24  years was adopted against a dependency ratio of 2/3.

(v) NAIROBI HCCC NO.308 OF 2010, Judgment on 25th October, 2013 Elizabeth Chelagat Tanui & Another Vs Arthur Mwangi Kanyua.The deceased was aged 36years old at the time of death a. A multiplier of 18years was adopted against a dependency ratio of 2/3

(vi) NAIROBI HCCC NO.42 OF 2007, Judgment on 15th August, 2013 Richard Osoro Sindiga & another Vs Alex Thangei Mwangi.The deceased was aged 22years old at the time of death a. A multiplier of 25 years was adopted against a dependency ratio of 1/3.

(vii) KAKAMEGA HCCC NO.30B OF 2005, Judgment on 24th May, 2007 Fanuel Olege Vs James Kariuki & Another.The deceased was aged 39years old at the time of death a A multiplier of 16 years was adopted against a dependency ratio of 2/3.

36. It was submitted that the deceased had been invited for an interview as a magistrate II and that there were chances of him being considered for the job.it was opined that for the starting salary of an advocate would not be less than Kshs.200,000. 00 and that of a Chief Magistrate would be Kshs.350,000. 00 which this honorable court should adopt with a multiplier of 25 years with a dependency ratio of 2/3calculated as follows;

-    Kshs.350,000. 00 X 12 X2/3x 25 = Kshs.70,000,000. 00

37. On  special damages it was submitted that the plaintiff had pleaded for Kshs.89,300. 00. This court was urged to award the same.

38. The plaintiff’s counsel prayed for a total sum of Kshs.70,389,300. 00 in damages together with costs and interest.

39. The defendant in its submissions filed on 22nd February 2016 contended that the plaintiff had not established liability on the part of the defendant. It was submitted that there was no proof that PW1 was the deceased’s mother, that none of the witnesses called by the plaintiff were eye witnesses, that the plaintiffs testimony contradicted her pleadings on the earnings of the deceased.

40. That PW1 further testified that at the time of his death the deceased was married to Judy Njiru and they had one child called Thomas which allegations were unsupported.  That PW1 did not produce as evidence any Marriage Certificate; neither did she produce a Birth Certificate for the said child. PW1 produced a copy of the Obituary dated 11th May, 2004 which was document No. 28 on the adopted list of documents marked as Plaintiff’s Exhibit 28. That the said Obituary did not indicate that the deceased had a wife and/or a child.

41. It was further contended that PW1 further alleged that the deceased expended all of his salary on his family, which allegation is unreasonable and baseless as PW1 testified on oath that the deceased had no source of income at the time of his demise. Further that she did not produce supporting documents of the deceased’s wife and child. That If there had been a widow and child the widow would have been a natural witness to testify how the deceased supported her.

42. That PW2 testified that he was not at the scene of the accident and could not tell what time exactly the deceased was allegedly electrocuted. That he did not have any proof of a report to the Defendant neither did he have a complaint number given to him by the Defendant after reporting as is the norm.

43. That PW3 produced a police abstract and an extract of the O.B No. 18 of 1st May, 2004. That the Police Abstract was marked as ‘Pending under Investigation’ wherein no liability was placed upon the Defendant for the accident. Furthermore, that she confirmed that the Defendant was not charged with any offence for the accident neither was the incident investigated.

44. It was therefore submitted that from the Plaintiffs’ testimony no liability was proved as against the Defendant and hence no liability should attach to the Defendant for the alleged accident.

45. On quantum, the defendant’s counsel submitted that the court should not award anything under the Fatal Accidents Act. However, that should liability be found against the defendant then the court should award as dfiloows:

46. Under Law Reform Act;Pain & suffering- Kshs. 10,000/= based on the case of Elizabeth Chelagat Tanui & another v Arthur Mwangi Kanyua [2013] eKLR where the Court awarded the Plaintiff Kshs 10,000/= for pain and suffering. The deceased died sometime after being taken to hospital. It was contended that the deceased in the suit before this Court died at the scene of the accident hence a similar award of Kshs 10,000/= for pain and suffering is reasonable in the circumstances.

47. Loss of life expectation of life-Kshs. 70, 000/=based onH.C.C.C. NO. 530 of 1997 Timothy Maluki  Nzengi vs Lucas Obiero Owino & Anorwhere the Deceased was 36 years of age at the time of his death. The Court awarded Kshs. 70,000/= as a conventional amount for loss of expectation of life under the Law Reform Act.

48. On Loss to the estate it was proposed that -1/3 of annual net salary x lost years 18 years 1/3 x Kshs. 320,004x 18years Kshs. 1,920,024.

49. On special damages it was submitted that there were no receipts proving the amounts sought hence the claim should be declined. The defendant urged the court to consider and award the plaintiff only Kshs. 2,000,024/=. Several decisions were cited on this point.

50. The defendant nonetheless urged the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit with costs for want of proof of liability.

DETERMINATION

51. I have considered  the parties pleadings, oral  and  documentary evidence adduced as well as their advocates written  submissions  and  authorities  relied on. In my humble view, the issues that flow for determination in this matter are:

i.   Whether the deceased Thomas Vuhiru Agade died as a result of electrocution.

ii.  Who is to blame for the death of the deceased Thomas Vuhira Agade.

iii. Whether the 1st plaintiff   has locus  standi in this matter.

iv. What damages if any would the court  award  a successful  plaintiff in a matter  of this nature.

v.  What orders  should this court  make.

vi. Who should bear costs of the suit.

52. Before determining the above issues, it is important to note that  I heard this matter on  10th December  2015when  I was still serving  in the Civil Division of the High Court.  I then  fixed the matter for mention on  26th January  2016 for  parties  to file and  exchange  their written  submissions  but by  26th January 2016 the defense had not filed and served their submissions  and   were granted  more time  until 23rd February  2016  when the matter  was mentioned and although the defence counsel stated that they had filed their submissions which, nonetheless  were not  on the court file, the court  ordered  the  file to be returned  to the registry for the submissions to be placed on the file and in the intervening period I was deployed  to the Judicial Review Division.

53. It was not until 21st July 2016 when the file was placed  before Honourable  Justice  Joseph Sergon that he fixed   a date for  judgment  as 7th October  2016.

54. However, the  Learned Judge learnt  after  retreating  to write the  judgment, in late January 2017, that I had heard  and  concluded the matter and  therefore it   was  appropriate that he places the file to me  to write the judgment.  Upon receipt of the file, I  ordered for a mention date and  directed the parties  advocates to be served  to appear  for mention  on 1st February  2017  for fixing of a judgment  date which  I fixed for  21st March 2017  at 2. 30 p.m.  However, I was unable to  write the judgment  and deliver it  as  scheduled  because albeit  the parties were directed to send soft  copies of written submissions, they did not and   so I re-fixed the judgment  for  2nd  May 2017  at  2. 30 p.m.

55. On the latter date, the judgment was not ready as my presiding   judge had proceeded on leave from end of March 2017 to Mid May 2017.  The workload in the Division coupled with urgent work could not allow me to write the judgment expeditiously. It is therefore regrettable that the judgment  in this matter  was not delivered expeditiously within the shortest  time possible, due to  circumstances  beyond the  court’s control  and the parties  are hereby  appreciated  for  their patience in this age old matter.

56. On the first question  of whether the deceased Thomas Vuhiru  Agade  died due to electrocution, the  plaintiff  PW1  testified  on oath  and  stated that  the deceased had been  invited for an interview of magistrates and on his way home, he was  electrocuted  and  died on the spot.  That the Kenya Power lines   were on the ground and   were live wires.  She  stated that  the  wires had  fallen  the  previous day after much  rain  and  that she  learnt that  Kenya Power  had been notified.  She denied that her son used to drink alcohol.  She also stated that she was notified by her daughter that her son was dead.  The witness produced police abstract from the police and photographs showing how her son was found dead lying on the electric power wires.

57. PW1 stated that she was informed that the deceased had delayed   returning to his cousin’s house in Kabete because of the heavy rains and died on his way back.  The plaintiff also called  PW2  who testified that he  worked at  the Kenya  School of Government  at Kabete  as an Internal  Security  officer and  on the material date  of  30th April  2004  he  was  on duty.  That it was raining heavily and at midnight   there was a blackout.

58. In the morning on 1/5/2004 at 6. 00a.m., he got a report that a man  had been electrocuted  by a live  wire.  He proceeded to the scene and  found that the matter  had been  reported   to the Spring  Valley  Police Station.  He found the deceased Thomas Agade  and the police  at the scene  and the police carried   the deceased’s  body to the police station.

59. PW2  stated that on 29th April  2004, the  same cables  that killed  Thomas  were still lying  on the ground and that a report vide  Ref.  No. 408681 of 29th April  2004  at  3. 00 pm was made  to the Kenya  Power and  Lighting Company. The  witness stated that even  after killing  the deceased, the  cables still remained  at the scene.  He blamed  Kenya Power  for  failing to remove live wires from  the ground which  was a road passing  near a residential  area.  The witness stated in cross examination that he  was not present  when  the  deceased  was  electrocuted.  He stated that  he  was notified  about the accident by his boss who received information from the residents.  He maintained  that the deceased  was found  lying dead  on a live wire.

60. PW3  No. 234468 Inspector  Juliana  Wanyama, Officer in charge of crime at Spring Valley Police Station  produced  OB report  for  1st May  2004  made through  a phone call by William Kosgei  in charge of Security within Kenya Institute of Administration  Kabete.  That upon receipt of the report, the officer on duty proceeded to the scene  and  found an  electrocuted  person identified  as  Thomas Agade.  That the officers visited  the  scene and  confirmed  the death and  that the  OCPD  Mr Wanzala also visited  the scene, had  the body   photographed  and  taken to the  morgue.

61. PW3  stated that the Kenya Institute of Administration  made the report  to the police station and that the police issued a police abstract of occurrence of the said electrocution.  PW3 produced the OB extract No. 18/1/5/2004 which states that the deceased died due to electrocution and that the report  was made at  2. 00a.m.

62. DW1 Peter Njenga  Kiarie, an employee of Kenya Power and Lighting  Company as a foreman  testified that  he  was  the team leader   at the time of the accident  and  used to lead teams  and  attend to temporary emergencies, repairing  of jumpers, droppers, replace fuses  carriers among  others.  He  testified  that on 30th April 2004, within Kenya Institute of Administration  at Kabete, a  dry  branch  of a tree fell on the power line which  fell on the  ground  and that someone reported to the Kenya Power and Lighting  Company office  call-centre  as a power  failure  report.  He stated that on the material night it   was raining heavily  but that  there  were  no faulty lines report  made by Kenya Institute of Administration Kabete to Kenya Power and Lighting  Company.

63. That  he went to the  site  and isolated/switched  off the  power line  but never  saw  anybody electrocuted  at the scene.  He denied  ever receiving  any report of electrocution  and stated that  he learnt  of the accident  when they were served  with summons in this case.  He maintained that the power line  was repaired  and that nobody  was electrocuted.

64. In cross  examination, DW1 stated that  the repairs  to the power line  were  done at  8. 00pm  in the evening  by removing the fuse.  He admitted that information  was  relayed  to their  call-centre  and that after  removal of the low  voltage  fuse, there  was no way  the line  would be  live to  electrocute  a person.  He could  however not  explain how the  deceased  died if the line  was  dead.

65. On being  questioned  further by Ms. Susan Nyang counsel for the plaintiff, DW1  stated that he did not have a  worksheet  to show that he went  to repair  the damaged electric  power  live on  that day.  He also  stated that if an  accident occurred  then it  was  caused by  heavy rains that  caused  the trees to fall on the power lines.  He also  stated that  the incident   was investigated but he did not have a copy of the such investigations  report.  He  stated that  they (Kenya Power and Lighting Company) did not consult Kenya Institute of  Administration  when he went  to repair  the power line.

66. DW1  further stated that he tested the wires  using  low voltage tester  and left when the lines  were  clear and stated that the wires  were  repaired  later.

67. In their  submissions, the  defence  maintained that they  were  never  made aware  of electrocution  as they insulated  the power lined  after receiving  a report of the  fall of electric  power lines  following heavy rains that caused  trees to fall  on the  said  power lines.

68. On the  part of the plaintiff, it  was submitted that the defence  witness no. 1 could not provide a  work sheet showing  that he had  gone to the site after the report was made and insulated the live electric  power lines.

69.  It  was further  submitted that DW1  failed to  dispute  the  cause of death  as being  electrocution. It was  submitted that the  defence  was  merely  denying.

70. The plaintiff produced  the extract  of the police  investigation diary  as Pex  29  showing that on 1st May 2004  at  11. 25 a.m. a report (call)  was  received  by Spring  Valley Police station by Mr  William  Koskei  that a default  power line  had caused the death of  an unknown person and at  1. 44 a.m. the  scene was visited  by PC Ngumbau and  PC Mungania.

71. The investigation diary further shows that at 2. 10 pm, on 1st may 2004, the police returned  to the station and  recorded  what they  had found  at the scene namely, that the  deceased had died as a result  of electrocution and later his  body  was  escorted to the City Mortuary  in the company of his  cousin Hassanali Omido.  The death certificate produced  in evidence by  the plaintiff being  No. B771581  shows that on 30th April  2004,  the deceased  Thomas Vuhiru  Agade aged 36  years had died  at Kabete  in Nairobi  due to  electrocution.

72. The police abstract  exhibit no.  21   shows that on  1st May  2004   a report of  electrocution of Tom Agade  was reported  vide  OB  NO.  18/1/5/2004  to the Spring Valley  Police station.

73. There are  also 8 photographs produced as PEx 22  showing  the deceased  lying  on fallen electric  power lines  and  photograph No.  8 shows the body being taken away from the scene.  There is no  contrary evidence  that the  deceased  may have  died due to other  causes  other than  the stated  cause  being  electrocution as stated in the  death certificate  and burial  permit  which are  public documents.

74. There was no evidence to show that the defendant, upon  receiving  a report  of a power  failure  as alleged by  DW1  and the fall of the  electric  power cables, DW1 ever went to the scene to  disable the live cables  and therefore  considering that the death  certificate  is a public document  and as no  contrary evidence  has been adduced to show that  the deceased  could have died of  other causes  other than  electrocution; considering that  he  was found lying on the very electric  cables which  had fallen on pedestrians path, I find that  the deceased’s life  was cut short  due to electrocution.  This was confirmed  by the police  who received the report, visited  the  scene and  took away the  deceased’s body.

75. In addition, the register of death No. 26 serial No. 1541 initialed PP 1293/04  Form A2 dated  3rd May  2004  produced  in evidence shows that a post mortem  was conducted on the  deceased’s body  by Dr Jane  Wasike  MBch;  BM ( a pathology on 3rd May 2004   showed that the  deceased’s  immediate  cause of death was due to (A) electrocution as his  immediate  cause of death.

76. There is no contrary evidence  from the medical  practitioner’s  post mortem results shown on the said document No. 2  produced  in evidence.  The said  Dr Jane  Wasike  is listed on the certificate as the informant.  Further, PEX 29 police investigation diary  OB  10 of  3rd May  2004  at  9. 59 a.m  and  OB        12  of 3rd May 2004 at 11. 56  a.m.  show that  PC Ngumbau  attended the  deceased’s  post mortem at the  City Mortuary  vide  PP No. 1293/04 which information  tallies with  the  report on PEX 2 register of  death by  Dr Jane  Wasike  the pathologist.

77. The police investigation diary produced as PEx  29  shows OB No. 14 of 1/5/2004 at  11. 25 am a report  made by Mr. William Koskei  who reported of a defaulted  wire(electric) which caused  death of  one name  unknown  but lives within  the vicinity of  Kenya Institute of Administration compound.  The person   was reported  dead.  At 11. 45 am, PC  Ngumbau and  PC Mungania   proceeded to the  scene  vide GKA 287 driven by  PC (D) Nganga  report  that the incident  took place  at about  2. 00a.m.

78. Accordingly, there is sufficient proof on a balance of  probabilities  that  the deceased  Thomas Vuhiru Agade  died as a result of electrocution. In the end, I find and hold that the plaintiff has  proved that the deceased  died as a result  of  electrocution.

79. The second question  to be answered  is who  was to blame  for the  accident?According to the plaintiff, the  defendant was liable  for the death of the deceased because the defendant failed to insulate the  offending  electricity  cables  to avoid  electrocution; failed to leave a warning  of the danger  posed by the naked  electric cables; failed  to have due regard  to the safety  of third parties  who may  come into  contact  with the naked  cables  and  for failing to  give  warning that there  was  a live wire  cable within the  vicinity.  The  plaintiff  and her witnesses  did not witness  the  accident  take place.  The witnesses found when the  deceased had already died, lying on an  electric cable as per the  photos  produced in evidence and so they blame the defendant  for failure to insulate/disable live electric cables even after  receiving  a report  of the accident .

80. DW1 stated that  a report  of fallen electric  cables reached  their office  at  about  8. 00am.  on  30th April  2004  and he went with  his teams  to the scene and  disconnected the power.  However, there is absolutely  no evidence  to show that  the  defendant  upon receiving a report at 8. 00am went to the scene and  disconnected  the fallen  live  power line.  In the path where  the  deceased lay it is not denied, is a public path used by pedestrians.  The photographs produced show that the  power  lines lay  precariously  across  the foot path  and the deceased  is seen lying  right on the said  power line.

81. PW2 was clear that  even after  making a report  to Kenya Power and  Lighting  Company, the electric power lines  lay on the site  for  4 days  after it had  killed the deceased.

82. The duty and  mandate to install and manage  electric power  lines is  placed on the defendant Kenya Power and Lighting  Company by the Electric  Power Act, Cap 314  and the Rules made  there under.  Kenya Power and Lighting  Company is the  only entity in Kenya  which is licensed  to install, supervise, inspect  and  maintain electric installations.  Where a report is made of damage  to electric power  lines, it is the  duty of  the defendant  to take immediate  emergency  action to ensure that the  fallen or  damaged  power lines are  removed  from the  harms way, disable  and  a place a conspicuous warning  of danger  at the scene to warn persons  using  the area  to beware of the danger and risks.

83. In this case, although  the defendant’s  witness claimed that upon receipt of a report  of power failure and  power  lines falling  they  went to the scene  at around  8pm  and  cleared/ disabled the line and that they did not receive any report  of electrocution, this court  did not believe  the defendant’s  witness.  As correctly submitted by the plaintiff’s counsel, it is expected  that some  work schedule  is provided  as evidence of disabling of the power line.  The witness testified  very casually without caring  about  the dangers involved  in coming  into contact  with live electric  wires.  His demeanor did not  impress  the court  and neither  did his evidence  displace  the evidence  adduced  by the Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA) staff that the live  wire lay at the scene for close  to 4 days  after killing  the deceased.

84. Electric wires  are  a naked  danger  to human  life.  It  was the statutory  mandate  and  duty of the  defendant  to inspect, upon  being notified, or  remove  the fallen  installations   if it  took its  work seriously.

85. In Kenya Power and Lighting Company v Joseph Khaemba  Njoria [2005] e KLR  GBN Kariuki J  ( as he then  was ) held  that the power company  has the responsibility  to ensure that the power infrastructure  it has installed  in the country  for the purposes  of electrification is properly maintained  to prevent  accidents.  In Joseph Kiptonui  Koskei vs KPL Co. Ltd [2010] e KLR , Asike Makhandia J ( as he  then was) held that  the defendant Kenya Power  Lighting Company  owed  the plaintiff and every Kenyan  a duty of care  where  it happen to have power lines and further  that electric  power  is  a dangerous  commodity and  if not properly secured can be  a danger to society.

86. Under Section  52 of  the Energy Act it is clearly stipulated  that :

“ The  provisions of this Act shall not  relieve  a licensee of the liability to make  compensation to the owner  or occupier of any  land or the agents, workmen or  servants  of the owner or occupier  of any land which  is the subject of the provisions  of this  Act, for damage  or loss caused  by the exercise or use of any power  or authority  confirmed by  this Act  or by any irregularity, trespass  or other  wrongful proceeding in the execution of this Act, or by the loss or damage  or breaking  of any electric  supply  line, or by reason of any defect in any electric  supply line.”

87. From the above  statutory provision, there can be no question that the  KPLC has a statutory duty  and responsibility  to ensure that  the power infrastructure   it has installed  in the country for purposes  of electrification is  not only properly maintained  to prevent   accidents  but also that  they take  remedial measures where  there is  likelihood of  risk to  prevent  any potential injury or damage.  (See KPLC Ltd V Joseph  Khaemba Njoria (supra).

88. I am therefore persuaded on the evidence adduced by the plaintiff’s  witnesses  and the authorities above that the deceased died due to the  negligence of the defendant.  I hold the defendant  100% liable in  negligence  and for failure to perform its statutory duty of supervising, inspecting and maintaining its electric  installations.  There is  proof of the necessary  causation  and the link between  the defendant’s negligence  and the fatal injury  to the deceased.  In Statpack  Industries  vs James  Mbithi Munyao [2005] e KLRit  was  stated that  an accident  can be caused by many factors and a link must therefore be established.

89. The danger  of the deceased or any  other user  of that particular  path being electrocuted by fallen live power lines was   foreseeable.  This is not the type of case where  the  court is faced  with two  probabilities.  The only  probability available  is that the  deceased  was walking  along  the path after heavy rains  and  met his death when  he stepped  on live electric  wires  which had  fallen on the pathway.  This death took place  in the night.  If, as the defendant’s witness  stated, that they  received a report of  a fallen  electric  power line  and  immediately proceeded to disable  it at  8. 00a.m is true, then, in  my humble view, there is,  indeed no way  the deceased  could have  died as a result   of electrocution as was in this case.  The defendants  have not suggested  that the deceased  died of  any other  cause other than electrocution.  They have evaded the whole incident by maintaining that  they  were never  notified  of any electrocution and that on being notified of the fallen electric wires, that  same night, they  disabled   the lines.  The defendant does not even  state when its emergency staff went to remove  the  fallen lines from  the ground , or to restore  them to their  normal state.

90. Walking along  a deserted  path which  is not lit late in the  wee hours  of the  night is not  prohibited and therefore no offence was committed by the deceases.  There is no  evidence of  an alternative path  that the deceased  could have used  to escape  death.  The photographs   produced  show that  the  path  was a foot path  and there is no evidence  that it  was   a closed path  or that  the  deceased  was trespassing  on an unauthorized  foot path or road  when he met  his death.

91. This court  does not  find  any scintilla  of evidence  to show that the deceased could have contributed to his own demise, considering  the  evidence  adduced by the  plaintiff’s  witnesses and  circumstances  leading to his  demise, which evidence was clear and unchallenged.

92. Moreso, albeit the  defendant  alleges  contributory negligence  on the part of the deceased  in excess of 80%, it  gave  evidence  saying no such  accident  occurred.  The defendant did  not state in evidence as to how the deceased  could have contributed  to his own demise.  It only maintained  in evidence that  there  was  no report of electrocution. Furthermore, the  defendant’s  allegation of the deceased’s own negligence is contained in the submissions.  Submissions are not and cannot take the place of evidence.  They remain submissions. See Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi & another v Mwangi Stephen Muriithi &another [2014]eKLR. If the  defendant  only learnt  of the alleged  accident  three years  after the incident  when they were served  with  summons to enter appearance, it behoves them to turn around, even  without  carrying  out any investigation and producing  results  of such investigations, to allege  that the deceased   was  responsible  for the  accident  because he   was  walking  at night  in a dark  place without  caring for  his own safety.

93. Furthermore, the defendant in its written defence filed on 8th June 2006   alleged that  the negligence attributed  to it which   was denied, was caused solely or contributed to by the negligence of  the Kenya Institute  of Administration. They did not attribute negligence on the deceased. In the  evidence  of  DW1 and the  submissions by the defense,  there  was no mention  of how Kenya Institute of Administration  could have  contributed to the accident in question  that led to the deceased’s  electrocution.  And if  that were the case, the  said Kenya Institute  of Administration’s staff  were witnesses for the plaintiff. KIA was never enjoined to these proceedings as a third party for apportionment of liability.

94. For that reason, I find no evidence  of contributory  negligence  on the part of Kenya Institute of Administration. I find that the defendant was solely to blame for the accident leading to the deceased’s demise.

95. In CMC Aviation Ltd, v Cruis Air Ltd (1) [1978]KLR 103 it was held that:

“Pleadings contain the averment of the claim concerned until they  are proved or disproved, or there is  admission of them or any of  them by the parties.  They are not  evidence  and  no decision could be founded upon them.  Proof is the  foundation of  evidence.”

96. In other words, it   was  not enough  for the defendant to aver or assert  in its  pleadings that  Kenya Institute of Administration   was to blame  for the accident.  Averments are matters of truth  of which is  submitted  for investigations until their truth has  been established or otherwise they remain unproven.  Averments in a plaint  do not satisfy the definition of  evidence  under Section 3 of the  Evidence Act. Since those  averments  as to the negligence  of the Kenya Institute of Administration  were not  admitted, which  admission could have  become  evidence   and  as evidence is normally given on oath or by affirmation, averments depend  on evidence  for proof  of their  contents.  See Cassells English Dictionary  page 394.

97. On  the third issue  of whether the 1st plaintiff has locus standi in this matter, the defendant  claims that  the  1st  plaintiff has no locus  standi  in this matter  and that  she only claimed that she  was the  deceased’s  mother yet offered to  documentary  evidence in support thereof.

98. The 1st   plaintiff indeed testified  that  she was  the deceased’s mother.  She  also produced  a grant of letters of  administration  and  a myriad  of documents  including  deceased’s academic  documents showing  his qualifications and  she vividly described what he  was  doing at the  time.  That he had come to Nairobi to do an interview with the Judicial Service Commission for the post  of  District Magistrate  II professional  on 8th September  2004   at  9. 00a.m.  There was no contrary evidence to that testimony and documentary evidence produced without any objection. She also produced in evidence his passport  No.  A 175168  and visas to study in India.

99. The limited  grant of letters of  administration  Ad Litem issued to  the plaintiff s vide HCC P&A No. 76 of 2009  by Honourable Joyce  Aluoch J ( as she then  was )  on 10th April  2007  is clear that the plaintiff had  the necessary  locus to  institute  these proceedings for and on behalf of the estate of the deceased  Thomas Vuhiru Agade. at paragraph 11 of the plaint, the  plaintiff also  pleaded that they  had obtained  limited grant  of  letters of administration Ad Litem vide succession cause  No. 76/2007  at Nairobi  before filing suit.

100. Furthermore, document 28 produced by the plaintiff which is an obituary of Tuesday May 11 2004 describes the deceased as son of Pascalia  Agade  and the late  Joshua  Agade. Death is  a serious matter  and one would not merely claim that they have lost a beloved one when they have not.  I had the  opportunity to hear, see and  observe the 1st plaintiff in court as she  emotionally  testified even  breaking down  whenever questions were put to her by her counsel.  PW1 who was a retired teacher also produced  in evidence  and  identified to court the deceased’s birth certificate  and her national identity card, his passport among other documents to show that  she  was his mother.

101. In my humble view, the plaintiff demonstrated on a balance of probabilities, that she had the necessary locus standi to bring this action on her own behalf  and on behalf of  the deceased’s  estate as  required  by law.

102. Having established that the cause of the deceased’s demise   was  electrocution; that the defendant was solely to blame for  the  accident  for its  failure  to disable and or  remove the  fallen  live electric power lines  despite  admitting  that it   was  notified  of  the  exposure; that  the plaintiff herein  had the  locus  standi to  institute  these  proceedings, the next issue  for determination  is what  damages  if any is the plaintiff entitled to.

103. First and foremost, it is important to point out  that there  are 2  plaintiffs Pascalia  Nyaboke  Agade  and  Judy Njura  Kathuri.  Both plaintiffs  jointly obtained  a limited  grant for  purposes  of instituting this suit.

104. According to PW1, she enjoined  Judy Njura  Kathuri to this  suit  as the widow  to her  late son  Thomas  Vuhiru Agade  and that he had  sired with Judy a baby boy issue but that she  vanished  and  her whereabouts  are unknown.

105. I have examined all the documents produced in evidence I am unable to find the nexus or relationship between the 1st plaintiff and the deceased Thomas Vuhiru Agade. In addition, although under paragraph 7 on the names of the beneficiaries, the 1st   plaintiff and her son Thomas Vuhiru Motachwa aged 3 years are named as defendants.  The 1st plaintiff also swore the verifying affidavit accompanying the plaint and that is all about her and her minor son.

106. In other words, a part from the pleadings, verifying affidavit and limited grant, the 1st plaintiff has never appeared in court to testify or to lay bare her claims to the deceased’s estate   as a widow or dependants.

107. My conclusion is that there is no evidence that the deceased was married to Judy Njura Kathuri or that he  sired a son  with her or that the two were his dependants at the time of his demise.

108. I shall therefore proceed to determine what damages the  plaintiff  Pascalia  Nyaboke Agade  would be  entitled to in the circumstances  of this case.

109. In the plaint dated 27th April 2007 the plaintiff Pascalia Nyaboke   Agade  and another prayed for  special damages,  general damages  under  the Law Reform Act Cap 26 Laws of Kenya and Fatal Accidents  Act Cap  32  Laws of Kenya.  That  plaint  was never amended to specify what special damages the plaintiffs  were  urging the court  to grant  them.in addition, no receipts were produced to prove the said special damages.

110.  The law is clear that special damages must not only be  specifically pleaded but they must be strictly proved on  a balance of probabilities.

111. In this case, other than simply  praying for special  damages  and  stating  that “ to be  adduced  at the time of  trial of  the  suit herein,” no particulars  of special  damages were provided, not   even in the testimony  by the  2nd plaintiff.  However, in the submissions  dated 26th January 2016, the plaintiff’s  counsel at page  6 urges  the court to  grant her  client  special damages  of kshs  89,300. 00 as pleaded.

112. Whereas it cannot be doubted that the plaintiff must have  expended  money towards the funeral of  her only son who   died in  Nairobi and  she had to  mobilize  relatives  and  friends to  assist her transport the body to Kisii for interment, it is  however  unfortunate that no particulars  of special damages  were pleaded and or proven or even mentioned in her testimony.

113. It is for  that reason that I find that the  special  damages  were neither specifically pleaded nor strictly proven. Iam fortified by the case of James Thiongo Githiri  v Nduati  Njuguna  Ngugi [2012] e KLR  where thecourt held:

“ Special damages are those damages which a plaintiff  is entitled  to claim, but which  without  a special  claim the law  does not assume  to  follow from  the wrongful act,  as opposed to  general  damages  which the law  presumes  to be  the direct and natural or probable consequence of the act complained of….special damages  on the other hand, are  such as the law   will not  presume  from the nature  of the act….They  must therefore be claimed specifically and  proved  strictly.  The  term “ special damages” demotes  the actual  pecuniary loss arising  out  of the special circumstances  of the case, and it  to be  supper added  to the general damages  implied  by the law  as  following  if the plaintiff  has been  caused  pain,  suffering  or wounds/injuries of any description.  A claim for special  damage must be  specifically  pleaded by  the plaintiff setting out  each particular  item and the amount  claimed in  respect of  it.  Such damage not being presumed by the law, the plaintiff must expressly prove his special  damage, and if  he fails, either to plead or to prove it, he is not entitled to recover.”

114. Accordingly, as the plaintiff neither pleaded nor proved special damages, this court awards him nothing.  Her claim for special damages is dismissed.

115. On the claims under the statutes Law Reform Act and  Fatal Accidents  Act and  commencing with the  damages  under the Law  Reform , these  are  normally claimed and awarded for  the  benefit of  the estate of the  deceased  while damages  under the Fatal Accidents  Act Cap 31  are awarded  for the benefit of the deceased’s dependants named in the plaint.

116. In  this case, the plaintiff  testified  that the deceased  was her son.  He was unemployed.  He died at the age of 36 years.  He   had  successfully  studied law in India, completed  Kenya School of Law and admitted  as an advocate  of the High Court of Kenya.  The plaintiff  produced an exhibit  showing that  at the material  time, he had applied for and had been scheduled to do an  interview  for magistrate.  His income  was not therefore known  at the time.

117. Under the Fatal Accidents Act, only a spouse, children and parents are entitled to claim upon proof of dependency as  stipulated in Section 4(1)  of the Act. However, the deceased, according to the evidence adduced, wanted to become a magistrate and according to PW1, he would  have risen to the rank of judge. The correct mode of assessing claims  and  damages under  these two  statutes  is as  stipulated  in KEMFRO Africa  Ltd T/A Meru Express Service, & Gathogo Kanini  vs A.M. Lubia  & Olive Lubia [1982-1988], KAR 727 that the net benefit  inherited  by the dependant  under the Law Reform Act must be  taken into account in respect  of  damages  awarded  under the Fatal Accidents  Act because  the  loss suffered  under the Fatal Accidents Act must be  offset by the gain from the estate of the deceased, under the Law Reform Act.

118. Under the Law Reform Act, the law gives the framework for claiming in respect of:

i.   Pain and  suffering

ii.  Loss of expectation of life.

119. Under the Fatal Accidents Act, the essential elements applied in assessing damages are

i.  The multiplicand

ii. The multiplier

iii. The determination of earnings.

120. On Pain and suffering,this is an amount, as correctly submitted by the defence  counsel, based on the period  the  deceased  took to die from the time  of occurrence of the  accident, and is  amount directly proportional to the  period  of death after the accident.  In the instant case, the deceased, from the evidence adduced, died instantly due to electrocution.

121. In Elizabeth Chelagat Tanui &  Another vs  Arthur  Mwangi  Kanyua [2013] e KLRthe court awarded  the plaintiff  kshs  10,000 for pain and suffering where the deceased died  sometime after being taken to hospital.  I would therefore   in this case award the plaintiff kshs 10,000/- damages for pain and  suffering, being reasonable  compensation.

122. On  the claim  for loss of  expectation of life, it is not  in  dispute  that the  deceased  who was  an advocate  of the High Court  of Kenya and aged 36 years  only at the time of his  painful  demise  had expectation of living a healthy full life.  I would  in the circumstances based on the plaintiffs  and  defendant’s  counsels  case law cited namely Nairobi HCC  2774/92.  Pauline  Kulola  Mwadime  V Dancun  Mwandago Mwikamba; and   HCC 530/1997  Timothy  Maluki  Nzengi  vs  Lucas  Obiero  Owino & Another, award the plaintiff a sum of kshs  150,000 damages  for loss of expectation of life.

123. On the claim  for lost years, it  is usually  awarded to the estate  of a deceased person for the loss of  income  it would have  benefited  if the  deceased  was alive.

124. The plaintiff claimed that the deceased was earning shs  480,000  annually which is shs 40,000 per month  but in her  documentary  evidence she produced a Curriculum Vitae showing the  deceased working  as a legal advisor at Jorimo Insurance  Brokers  Ltd.

125. In cross  examination the plaintiff  stated that the deceased   was   unemployed.  Indeed, parties are bound by their pleadings which  limit the  issues that the  court will  determine   at the trial.  ( see  IEBC  & Another V Stephen  Mutinda Mule  & 3 Others [2014]  e KLR. There is evidence that the deceased  was  an advocate of the High Court of Kenya  and  had been scheduled for an interview  as an magistrate. The plaintiff claimed for that he  would be earning  about kshs  200,000 and  rise to Chief Magistrate earning   350,000.  She urged the court to award kshs 350,000 x12 x 2/3 x 25= 70,000,000.

126. On the other hand the defendant submitted relying on the case of Simeon Kiplimo Murey & 3 Others vs Kenya Bus Management Services Ltd & 4 Others [2014]where the court held that:

“on the issue of income, the trial magistrate correctly pointed out that the plaintiff was bound by the pleadings  which showed that the deceased’s salary was kshs  20,000 although the  proved  salary  was kshs  40,000/-. Although the statutory deductions  were not  disclosed, the court  could readily  ascertain these from  the relevant  law.  I would estimate that  statutory  deductions such as  income   tax, NSSF and NHIF would amount  to about  one third  of the gross  salary  leaving a net income of about  kshs  26,000 less a reasonable  sum  the  deceased  would  spend on himself.  The appellant  in the pleadings and submissions accepted that  the amount pleaded  and  proved is  kshs  20,000 and the same  should have been  awarded  as the net income, I  therefore find and  hold  that the multiplicand  is  kshs  20,000. ”

127. In this case, the defendant’s counsel  submitted  that “it is  reasonable   to assume that  a newly  admitted  advocate  would eventually  get employed  and it is our considered  opinion that the gross  income of kshs 40,000 pleaded  by the plaintiff  is reasonable.”

“ We invite the court in the circumstances to adopt  a reasonable figure of kshs  26,667 as the net salary.  The statutory deductions  were not disclosed and  we urge  the  Honourable court  to be guided  by the relevant law while making  statutory  deductions which  should be less  a third  of the gross salary….”

128. I have perused  the plaint dated  27th April  2007, indeed, the plaintiff pleaded that the deceased earned kshs 480,000 annually. The evidence showed that he worked for the  insurance  brokerage  but no pay slip  or letter  of employment  was exhibited.  It therefore behoves the plaintiff to adduce evidence contrary to her pleadings  and submit that the deceased  would be  earning not less  than kshs  200,000 and  as a Chief  Magistrate  which is the highest  rank in the magistracy, and that he would earn kshs  350,000, using  a multiplier  of  25  years  and  a dependency  ratio of  2/3.

129. I would in the circumstances  accept the figure  of  shs  40,000/-monthly salary proposed by the defendant  and  as pleaded  by the plaintiff.

130. Nonetheless, I disagree  with the defendant’s  multiplier  and  multiplicand  on the  manner  of calculating  lost years.

131. In this case, the deceased  was  aged  36  years.  He would  work until  60 years  as  an employee  of the insurance company as pleaded.  There  was no guarantee that he  would get the  job of a magistrate. Although there are probabilities that he would  have risen to be a judge, but   all that  was  not pleaded.  In the premises, I would  adopt the deceased’s  earning to be  kshs  40,000 per month  on average.  There was no evidence of deductions and, neither   was there evidence  that  this  was   gross  or net  salary.  Bearing in mind that the deceased  would not have  earned  a constant  salary of  kshs  40,000/-, I would take  kshs  40,000/-  to be net salary  after all deductions.  I would also  adopt  a multiplier  of 24 years  as there  was no evidence that he  was of ill health  which would  have affected  his working life.

132. On the multiplicand, the deceased  would have  married and  diverted most  of his earnings on himself  and  his family. For that reason, and as there is no rule of the thumb that dependancy ratio must be  2/3 of a deceased’s  earning, I would adopt  a multiplicand  of 1/3  for his  mother the plaintiff  herein.

133. The totals  would be  shs  40,000 x  12 x 25 x 1/3= 4,000,000 which  I hereby award to the  2nd  plaintiff as the  1st plaintiff vanished  and  never testified  to indicate her relationship with the deceased and  neither was any evidence of children adduced.

134. In the end, I enter judgment for the 2nd plaintiff Pascalia Nyaboke Agade against the defendant Kenya Power and Lighting Company on liability at 100%.

i. Special damages nil;

ii. general damages: under the Law  Reform  Act

(i)  Pain and  suffering               =    shs   10,000/-

(ii) Loss of expectation of  life  =    shs   150,000/-

Total      Shs   160,000/-

iv. Under  Fatal Accidents Act          shs 4,000,000

v. Total shs  4,000,000 less damages  under  Law Reform Act kshs 160,000/-

Total damages awarded Kshs 3,840,000/=

135. I further award the 2nd  plaintiff  costs of  this suit together with  interest at  court rates  from date of judgment  until payment  in full.

Dated, signed and delivered in open court at Nairobi this 6th day of November, 2017.

R.E. ABURILI

JUDGE

In the presence of:

Miss Mungai H/b for Miss Nyang for the Plaintiffs

N/A for the Defendant

CA: George