Orthodox Towers Management Co. Ltd v Attorney General, Miliki Savings & Credit Society Ltd & Orthodox Archbishopric Irinoupolis [2015] KEHC 3207 (KLR) | Interest On Judgment Debt | Esheria

Orthodox Towers Management Co. Ltd v Attorney General, Miliki Savings & Credit Society Ltd & Orthodox Archbishopric Irinoupolis [2015] KEHC 3207 (KLR)

Full Case Text

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA

AT NAIROBI

PETITION NO 43 OF 2015

ORTHODOX TOWERS MANAGEMENT CO. LTD.......................PETITIONER

VERSUS

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL........................................................RESPONDENT

MILIKI SAVINGS & CREDIT SOCIETY LTD............1ST INTERESTED PARTY

ORTHODOX ARCHBISHOPRIC IRINOUPOLIS....2ND INTERESTED PARTY

RULING NO. 3

1. In the consent between the parties entered into on 12th June 2015, it was agreed that the interest accrued between 10th February 2015 and 3rd June 2015 payable to the 1st interested party was Kshs10,813,547.  This was the amount calculated by the respondent in its letter dated 5th June 2015. This interest covered the period that the Court found that the petitioner was liable for.

2. The respondent now demands a further amount of Kshs2,156,618, apparently for the period between 6th June 2015 and 3rd July 2015 when the amount was credited to the 1st interested party’s account.

3. The 1st interested party, according to the record, applied for release of the money held in Court on 8th June 2015. What transpired between then and the date the money was released is not clear.  It was, however, outside the control of the petitioner.

4. One must ask the question:  Suppose the 1st interested party did not apply for the release of the money until, say, a month later, and it was released two months later.  Would the petitioner still be held liable for the interest?

5. In my view, such a scenario would be extortionate and unfair, and depicts the respondent and 1st interested party as displaying the character of a Shylock. It is not just, and the court must state so.

6. Consequently, I am satisfied that the petitioner’s application dated 21st July 2015 has merit, and I allow prayers 3, 4 and 5 thereof with costs to the petitioner.

Dated, Delivered and Signed at Nairobi this 23rd day of July 2015

MUMBI  NGUGI

JUDGE