Republic v Chief Executive Officer, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Ex-parte Richard Kalembe Ndile [2018] KEHC 7576 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS

JUDICIAL REVIEW MISC. APPLICATION NO. 115 OF 2017

IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS FOR ORDER OF MANDAMUS

AND

IN THE MATTER OF THE ELECTION PETITION 1 OF 2013: RICHARD KALEMBE NDILE VERSUS PATRICK MWEU MUSIMBA, GEDI ARALE NOOR AND THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION

AND

IN THE MATTER OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS FOR THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS FOR KIBWEZI WEST CONSTITUENCY HELD ON 4TH MARCH 2013

THE REPUBLIC  ………...................................................................APPLICANT

VERSUS

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL AND

BOUNDARIES COMMISSION..................................................RESPONDENT

AND

RICHARD KALEMBE NDILE ...............................EX-PARTE APPLICANT

JUDGMENT

Introduction

The ex parte Applicant (hereinafter referred to as “the Applicant”)  was the Petitioner in Machakos High Court Election Petition No. 1 of 2013 - Richard Kalembe Ndile vs Patrick Mweu Musimba, Gedi Arale Noor and The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, in which judgment was issued in his favour on 15th August 2013. The Applicant was also awarded costs which this Court capped at Kshs 1,500,000/= all inclusive. The Deputy Registrar of this Court taxed the Applicant’s costs at Kshs 1,500,000/= on 4th April 2014 and a certificate to that effect was issued on 17th April 2014.

The Applicant has now filed an application by way of a Notice of Motion dated 3rd July 2017, seeking an order of Mandamus  to compel the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to pay the Applicant Kshs. 2,130,000. 00 as costs and interest as ordered and taxed in Machakos High Court Election Petition Number 1 of 2013.

The Applicant states that since the judgment was delivered and the decree and certificate of costs extracted, the Respondent herein has failed, ignored and/or neglected to satisfy the decree. Further, that enforcement of a decree against the Respondent falls within the auspices of Government Proceedings Act and any execution of a decree against the same ought to be done as hereunder. The Applicant attached a copy of the said judgment and certificate of costs.

The Applicant’s claim as stated in the foregoing is set out in a statement of facts and verifying affidavit sworn by the Applicant, both dated  8th June 2016,  and filed in Court on the same date. The Applicant’s also filed written submissions in Court dated 15th January 2017.

The Respondent did not file any replying affidavit or submissions in response to the application, after being directed to do so by this Court.

The Issues and Determination

I have considered the pleadings and submissions made by the Applicant. The order sought by the Applicant of mandamus is defined in the Halsburys Laws of England, 4th Edition, Vol 1 at page 111 as follows:

“The order of mandamus is of most extensive remedial nature and is in the form of a command issuing from the High Court of Justice directed to any person, corporation or inferior tribunal requiring him or them to do some particular thing therein specified which appertains to his or their office and is of the nature of a public duty. Its purpose is to remedy the defects of justice and accordingly it will issue to the end that justice may be done, in all cases where there is a specific legal right, and it may issue in cases where although there is an alternative remedy, yet the mode of redress is not convenient, beneficial and effectual.”

The issues that require to be determined therefore are firstly, whether the  Respondent are under a public duty to pay the Applicant the awarded costs, and secondly, if so whether the Applicant is entitled to the relief he seeks. The Applicant has in this respect brought evidence of the  judgment and costs awarded in his favour arising from claims against the Respondent.

Execution proceedings against a government or public authority can only be as against the accounting officer or chief officer of the said government or authority, who is under a statutory duty to satisfy a judgment made by the Court against that body. This was the holding in Republic vs Permanent Secretary Office of the President Ministry of Internal Security, Misc. Civil Application  JR 132 of 2012 and Town Clerk vs City Council of Nairobi, Misc. Civil Application No. 224 of 2012. Section 10(1) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act is establishes the  office of Secretary of the Commission, and under section 10(7) of the functions  are set out as follows:

“7. The secretary shall be—

(a) the chief executive officer of the Commission;

(b) head of the secretariat;

(c) the accounting officer of the Commission;

(d) custodian of all commission’s records;

(e)  responsible for—

(i)executing decisions of the Commission;

(ii)assignment of duties and supervision of all employees of the Commission;

(iii)facilitating, co-ordinating and ensuring execution of Commission’s mandate;

(iv)ensuring staff compliance with public ethics and values; and

(v)the performance of such other duties as may be assigned by the law and Commission.”

The finding of this Court therefore is that the Respondent as the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is under a   legal   obligation  to  implement  the judgment  in favour of the Applicant.

Lastly, as to whether the Applicant is entitled to the relief sought, he has shown his interest  and locus standi in terms of the judgment he secured in his favour as against the Respondent, and this Court has found that the Respondent is  under a legal duty to satisfy the said judgment.

The Applicant’s Notice of Motion dated 3rd July 2017 is accordingly  found to have merit, and an order of mandamus is hereby issued compelling  the Respondent to pay to  the  Applicant  the sum of Kshs 1,500,000/= together with interest thereon   at   14%   per annum from the date of this judgment until payment in full.

Orders accordingly.

DATED AND SIGNED AT MACHAKOS THIS 6th  DAY OF MARCH 2018

P. NYAMWEYA

JUDGE