Violet Shidogo Shitakwa v Rupa Savings & Credit Co-Operative Society [2021] KECPT 520 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE CO-OPERATIVE TRIBUNAL

AT ELDORET

TRIBUNAL CASE NO. 689 OF 2019

VIOLET  SHIDOGO  SHITAKWA...............…….............................................CLAIMANT

VERSUS

RUPA SAVINGS  & CREDIT  CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY....................RESPONDENT

JUDGMENT

The Claimant’s  case against  the Respondent  vide the Statement of Claim  filed on  1. 11. 2019 is  for  refund   of shares Kshs. 470,000/=plus interest  total  amount  claimed  being Kshs.510,000/= plus  costs  and interest  in the suit.

The Respondent  filed a  Response  on 9. 12. 2019 denying  the Claimant’s  claim.

The matter  proceeded  to  hearing with  the Claimant  and Respondent  calling  1 witness  each. The Claimant  filed  written submissions  on 12. 10. 2020 and  the Respondent  filed  no written submissions  despite  various  mentions  on 13. 10. 2020 and 3. 11. 2020 for the same.

The Claimant  stated that she  was a member  of the Respondent  and was making  deposits  as per  the bundle  of receipts  amounting  to Kshs.510,000/=. The Respondent  contended  that  the  Claimant  was not  an employee  but acknowledged  Kshs.40,000/= deposit.  That the deposit  slips  were not signed  but stamped  with a fake stamp. That  there  was  loss  of  over  Kshs. 39 Millionand there  was an  ongoing  inquiry  and  they would  refund  after  the inspection.

We have  carefully  considered  the  evidence  on record,  the pleadings  and the documents  produced  in the matter.  We note  that there  is a deposit  agreement  dated  13. 9.2019 for  Kshs.470,000/= plus  8% per month interest. We  have also noted  the deposit  slips  produced.  In defence  the Respondent  alleged  collusion  with  previous  committee  members  and fictitious  documents  but there  was no  proof  of the same. The Respondent  did not  also avail  the Statement  of Account  in regard  to the Claimant  but only  purported that refunds  were stopped  owing  to the inquiry. The Respondent  further  submitted  in their  evidence  that they  were ready  to pay any refunds  due and owing to the Claimant.  The Respondent  produced  a list of  depositors  for September  2019 and the Claimant  Number  288  Membership  No. 1334 deposited  Kshs.40,000/= and similar  deposit  agreements  as that  of the Claimant  but specifically  for Evans  Ongunya whose  name does  not appear in  the list of depositors.  This shows  that the  said list of depositors  could not  be comprehensive. In  essence,  the documents  of the Respondent  have not  negated  the documents  produced  by the Claimant. Even  though  the Respondent  avers  collusion  or fraud,  no evidence  has been  called  to support  the allegations.  We note that  there is  an agreement  between  the parties  for Kshs.470,000/=, plus  8% interest  and  a 2018  Statementfor  total savings  of Kshs.510,000/=.

In totality  we find that   the Claimant  has established  her claim  on a balance of  probabilities  and accordingly  enter  judgment  in favour  of the Claimant against  the Respondent  for Kshs.510,000/= plus  costs and  interest  in the suit.

Judgment signed, dated and delivered virtually this 4th day of  March,  2021.

Hon. B. Kimemia  Chairperson  Signed         4. 3.2021

Mr. P. Gichuki    Member    Signed      4. 3.2021

Mr. B. Akusala   Member    Signed       4. 3.2021