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JudgmentJoel Nduruhu Kinuthia VS Barefoot Power Africa Ltd3 min read

Joel Nduruhu Kinuthia VS Barefoot Power Africa Ltd

Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) · · Christine Noontatua Baari

Summary

The court dismissed the Applicant's motion for directing Stanbic Bank Limited to release monies from the Respondent's account. The Applicant sought release of Kshs. 1,689,930.80 based on a prior judgment awarding Kshs. 1,489,930.80 plus costs, but the court found the motion materially defective because the Applicant had not obtained a decree and the certificate of costs was not adopted as an order for execution. The court emphasized that execution must follow Order 22 and 23 of the Civil Procedure Rules, which the Applicant did not adhere to, hence the motion was dismissed.

1. This ruling relates to notice of motion application dated 24th October, 2024, brought pursuant to Sections 1A & 3A of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 51 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The Applicant seeks orders:-
i. THAT Stanbic Bank Limited be directed to release the monies in the Respondent’s account held at the Kenyatta Avenue Branch Dollar Account number 01000002375626, Kenya Shillings account number No. 01000002375618, and Euro account number No. 01000003423292 to the extent of the sum of Kshs. 1,689,930.80/- to the Applicant.
ii. THAT the costs of the application be provided for.

2. The application is supported by grounds on the face and the supporting affidavit of the Applicant sworn on 24th October, 2024. The crux of the motion is that this Court (Hon. Justice Rika) delivered a judgment on 12th February, 2024 in this matter awarding the Claimant a sum of Kshs. 1,489,930.80 together with interest and costs from the date of filing of the claim.

3. The Applicant further avers that on 3rd May, 2024, he filed his Party and Party bill of costs which was taxed at Kshs. 292,794/- in a ruling delivered on 26th August, 2024, following which a certificate of costs was issued.

4. The Applicant states that he made a demand for payment of the sum due to him from the Respondent, being a total sum of KShs.2,808,311.68 as at the time of demand, which demand the Respondent has not met.

5. It states that in a ruling rendered earlier by Hon. Justice Byram Ongaya, on 12th July, 2019, attaching the monies in the Respondent’s account held at the Kenyatta Avenue Branch of CFC Stanbic Bank Limited Dollar account number 01000002375626, Kenya Shillings account number No. 01000002375618, and Euro account number No. 01000003423292 to the extent of the sum of Kshs. 1,689,930.80/-.

6. That the Applicant now seeks the amount attached to be released to him in partial fulfilment of the decree of this Court, and that he reserves his right to execute for the balance.

7. The Applicant finally argues that unless the order sought is granted, he continues to suffer loss and prejudice. 


8. The Respondent opposed the application through grounds of opposition dated 29th November, 2024, where it argues that the party against whom the order is sought is not a party to this matter.

9. The Respondent further argues that the Applicant has not obtained a decree and the subject being execution of proceedings, the Applicant cannot rely on Order 51 Rule 1, hence the motion is materially defective and bad in law.

10. It is the Respondent’s position that the Civil Procedure Rules provide for the appropriate mode of execution that the Applicant should follow under Order 22 and 23, and which the Applicant ought to adhere to.

11. The Respondent prays that the motion be dismissed.

Determination
12. I have carefully considered the motion, the grounds in support and the those in opposition. The issue for determination is whether the Claimant/Applicant can execute in the manner it seeks to.

13. The Applicant has brought the application under Order 51 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules which provision does not relate to execution proceedings, but rather the manner of filing such proceedings.


14. The basis of the motion herein, is the order by Hon. Justice Ongaya of 12th July, 2019, attaching the monies held in the Respondent’s account. The Court however notes that the Applicant has not extracted the decree in the matter, and neither has the certificate of costs been adopted as an order of the court for purposes of execution.

15. The fact that money belonging to the judgment debtor is held in a bank account by order of the court, does not mean that the judgment creditor is not bound by the laws on execution of decrees. To the contrary, the Applicant must adhere to the provisions of Order 22 and 23 of the Civil Procedure Rules on execution of decrees.

16. For the reasons foregone, I find the motion materially defective and is hereby dismissed.

17. I make no orders as to costs.

18. Orders accordingly.

SIGNED, DATED AND DELIVERED AT NAIROBI THIS 4TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025

                                                      C. N. BAARI
                                                         JUDGE
Appearance:
Mr. Oyoo Present for the Applicant/Claimant
Ms. Mugo Present for the Respondent
Ms. Esther S - CA

    Joel Nduruhu Kinuthia VS Barefoot Power Africa Ltd Joel Nduruhu Kinuthia VS Barefoot Power Africa Ltd