Republic v County Secretary,Nairobi County Government Exparte Samuel Mbugua Gachuhi [2017] KEHC 4401 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA

AT NAIROBI

JUDICIAL REVIEW NO. 29 OF 2017

IN THE MATTER OF ORDER53 RULE   1   OF THE CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES

AND

IN THE MATTER OF SECTIONS 8 AND 9 OF THE LAW REFORM ACT, CAP 26 LAWS OF KENYA

AND

IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPLY JUDICIAL REVIEW FOR AN ORDER OF   MANDAMUS

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

VERSUS

COUNTY SECRETARY, NAIROBI COUNTY GOVERNMENT...….RESPONDENT

SAMUEL MBUGUA GACHUHI…………..........………….EXPARTE APPLICANT

JUDGMENT

1. The  exparte applicant  was  on  15th February  2017 granted leave to institute  Judicial Review  proceedings  seeking  for  mandamus  to compel the  respondent  to settle decree  in Nairobi  HCC  1595/2002  Samuel Mbugua  Gachuhi  vs  The City  Council of Nairobi  &  3  others .  The main motion was filed on 7th March 2017 within the stipulated 21 days.  The  motion  which is  dated  28th February  2017 and  unopposed seeks for  Judicial Review   order  of mandamus   to  compel  the City  County  Secretary  of Nairobi  County  to settle the decree in the sum  of the shs  1200,703. 67 as at 31st December   2016 with further interest.

2. The County Government is, under the Government  proceedings, like   the  National Government  and  as  such,  no  execution  can  issue   against   the  government. It  is  for that   reason  that  Judicial Review proceedings are instituted to compel  settlement  of  a  decree  which is  a  legal duty  of  a  judgment debtor.

3. I have seen decree of 28th July 2008 issued on 16th September 2008. There has been claims/demands for  settlement and  the respondent  send  counsel to this  court  severally to  undertake to settle  but  todate  there   has  been no settlement   of that  decree.  If  mandamus  does not issue,   the  judgment  of  28th  July  2008  by Angawa J  in HCC  1595/2002  shall be  a  mere  paper  judgment  and the  applicant   is  rendered   a  mere  pious explore in the judicial process.  It is for that reason that I find the motion by the applicant for mandamus merited.

4. I grant the Judicial Review order of mandamus as sought in prayer No. 1 of  the motion  dated  28th February  2017  together  with  costs of these  Judicial Review  proceedings.  The decree to be settled in the next 45 days and in default the applicant is at liberty to apply.

Dated, signed and delivered in open court at Nairobi this 3rd day of May 2017.

R. E. ABURILI

JUDGE