1. The Applicants, FRANKLIN JOSEPH L.O OPIJAH and CAROLINE WASONGA OTIENO vide Originating Summons dated 11th November 2022 have made an application for the adoption of BABY GIFT OUMA the child herein. The applicants have been married since 13th DECEMBER 2012 and have attached a copy of the marriage certificate serial number 97610. They wish to adopt the baby with the intention to be parents and nurture their own offspring.
2. The matter proceeded for hearing via viva voce evidence on the Teams virtual platform on the 25th of May 2023.
3. The Applicants are Kenyan Citizens and of the Christian faith. They aver that they have the financial means and capability to take care of the Child. Both applicants are lecturers at the University of Nairobi, They have had custody of the child for a period of 1 year and 1 month. They reside in at Oloolua, Chui Lane,Ngong Road. They fully understand the consequences of an adoption order.
4. The child is estimated to have been born on 20th April 2021 and about one month later, on 23rd May 2021, he was found abandoned at the gate of the compound belonging to one Jane Atieno Opuk , located in Kakello Mixed Village , Kabondo Kasipul Sub-County , Homa Bay County.
5. Jane Atieno stayed with the child overnight then reported the abandonment at Kinga Police Station , where the incidence was booked under OB NO. 08/24/05/2021. Subsequently, the baby was temporally placed with Jane Atieno. The child was later transferred to New Life Home Trust-Kisumu. The child was committed to the Home on 16th July 2021 by order of the Children’s Court at Oyugis Law Courts - Protection and Care Case No. 14 of 2021.
6. Prior to the hearing of the adoption application, BUCKNER KENYA ADOPTION SERVICES prepared and filed a report dated 10 February 2022 and issued a certificate serial No. 0538 declaring the child free for adoption. On 17th January 2023, the Court appointed a Guardian Ad litem Mr. Jackson Ndegwa.
7. The Guardian Ad Litem, Mr. Jackson Ndegwa was present in Court and presented his report dated 10th May 2023. He confirmed that he visited the Applicants and the Child at their home and observed that they have bonded well, and the child is well taken care of. He has also bonded well with the extended family. He recommends that the Applicants be allowed to adopt the Baby.
8. An officer of the Department of Children Services, Ezekiel Kimani prepared a report dated 10th April 2023. The report established that the child was abandoned at the gate of Jane Atieno who reported the matter to Kinga police station under OB NUMBER 08/24/05/2021.
9. The Report further documents that vide letter dated 3rd February 2022; the Police confirmed that neither the mother nor other relatives of the child had come back to claim the child. For this reason, the Department of Children Services confirms the child is free for adoption. The Child was placed with the Applicant on 21st April 2022.
10. The proposed Legal Guardian Evelyne Achieng Otieno attended court and confirmed she is willing to take up the role of legal guardian. She is the sister to the second applicant and sister-in-law to the 1st Applicant.
11. After carefully assessing the records herein, I am satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the legal requirements relating to the Child’s adoption. Section 186 of the Children Act, 2022 provides.
(1 The Court may make an adoption order on application by—
(a a sole applicant; or
(b) two spouses jointly.
(2) The Court shall not make an adoption order in any case unless—
(a the applicant has attained the age of twenty-five years, but is not above the age of sixty-five years; and
(b) the applicant, or both of the applicants in a joint application, is more than twenty-one years older than the child.
3 The restrictions in subsection (2) shall not apply in any case where a sole applicant or one of the joint applicants is the mother, father, or relative of the child.
12. The Applicants are aged 56 years and 47 years respectively.
13. Article 53 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides the overarching principles which must apply whenever any decision concerning a child is to be considered. It states:
A Child’s Best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child
14. This principle is restated Under Section 8 of the Children Act , 2022 which provides
Best interests of the child.
(1 In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, or legislative bodies—
(a) the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration;
(b) the best interests of the child shall include, but shall not be limited to the considerations set out in the First Schedule.
Section 194 (1) (c) of the Act also requires that if the adoption order is made
the order will be in the best interests of the child, having regard to the wishes of the child, depending on the child’s age and understanding, and to the ability of the applicant to maintain and educate the child;
15. In view of the foregoing, the court is of the considered view that it is in the child’s best interest to be adopted by the Applicants. Accordingly, I allow the prayers sought in the Originating Summons dated 17th November 2022 and order as follows:
i. The Applicants FRANKLIN JOSEPH L.O.OPIJAH and CAROLINE WASONGA OTIENO be allowed to adopt Baby GIFT OUMA.
ii. The Child to be known as ETHAN JABULANI OPIJAH
iii. The Child be presumed to be a Kenyan citizen by birth.
iv. The child’s date and place of birth are declared to be 20th April 2021 in Homa Bay.
v. EVELYNE ACHIENG OTIENO is hereby appointed as legal guardian of Child
vi. The Registrar be and is hereby directed to enter this adoption into the Register of Adopted Children.
vii. The Guardian Ad litem is discharged.
SIGNED DATED AND DELIVERED IN VIRTUAL COURT THIS……30th…DAY OF …June..2023.
In the presence of ………M/s Kimenyi for Appliants
1st and 2nd Applicants…………………………………………………..
Court Assistant Dorine Karani