George & another v Babu (Civil Appeal E130 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 5986 (KLR) (24 May 2024) (Judgment)
Neutral citation:
[2024] KEHC 5986 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
Civil Appeal E130 of 2023
DKN Magare, J
May 24, 2024
Between
Maina Githaiga George
1st Appellant
Stephen Kirimi
2nd Appellant
and
Geoffrey Manyanya Babu
Respondent
Judgment
****ARGUMENTS
1.This Appeal arises from the Judgement and Decree of Trial Court delivered on 30th June 2022 by Hon. A.N Makau, Senior Principal Magistrate in Milimani CMCC No. 885 of 2020.
2.The Court awarded liability and Damages as follows:1. Liability 100%2. General Damages Kshs. 1,300,000/-3. Future Medical expenses Kshs. 250,000/=4. Special Damages Kshs. 24,270/-.TOTAL Kshs. 1,605,324/-.with costs of the suit and interest.
3.Aggrieved, the Appellant filed this Appeal lodged the Memorandum of Appeal.
4.The Appeal is on both quantum and liability.
Pleadings
5.The Plaint dated 14th December 2010 claimed damages for an accident that occurred on 21/5/2019 involving Motor Vehicle Registration Number KAS 271N owned by the Plaintiff and Motor Vehicle Registration Number KCR 147T 634Y which was owned by the Defendants. The Respondent was a driving said Motor vehicle when die to negligence driving by the Defendant’s agent or servant, the two motor vehicles collided as a result of which the Plaintiff suffered personal injuries.
6.The Respondent set forth particulars of negligence for the vehicle. He pleaded injuries as follows:Fracture of the left tibiaFracture of the left fibulaFracture of the right femurBruises to the left legRecurrent painsInability too lift heavy loadSurgical scarPermanent disability of 40% to the right legPermanent disability of 20% to the left leg
7.The Appellants filed Defence and denied liability while also blaming the accident on the rider of the Respondent.
Evidence
8.On 21st March 2022, the parties entered consent on liability at 85:15 in favour of the Plaintiff. The witness statements and bundle of documents filed in court by both parties were also adopted in evidence. The parties then agreed to file submissions on quantum of damages.
9.The court considered the matter and rendered its Judgement from which this appeal arises.
The Appellants’ Submissions
10.The Appellant filed submissions on 23rd October 2023.
11.It was submitted that the award of general damages was inordinately high and negated the established principles.
12.The Appellant submitted that the award of Ksh. 1,300,000/= in general damages did not correspond with the injuries suffered and was excessive.
13.They submitted that an award of Kshs. 700,000/- would be sufficient and supported their submissions inter alia on the cases of Joseph Mwangi v Thuita v Joyce Mwole (2018) eKLR and Pauline Gesare Onami v Samuael Changamure & Another (2017) eKLR.
14.It was also submitted that the court erroneously entered liability at 100% in favour of the Plaintiff when there was a consent of the parties conferring liability at 85:15 in favour of the Plaintiff and which was recorded and adopted by the court.
15.I was urged to allow the appeal.
16.The Respondent submitted that the learned magistrate correctly applied the principles on general damages and also arrived at the correct finding on damages for future medical expenses.
17.Reliance was placed inter alia on the cases of Kirinjit Singn Magon v Bonanza Rice Millers (2008) eKLR and Lucy Waruguru Gatundu v Miriam Nyambura Mwangi (20217) eKLR.
18.I was urged to disallow the appeal.
Analysis
19.This being a first appeal, this court is under a duty to re-evaluate and assess the evidence and make its own conclusions. It must, however, keep at the back of its mind that a trial court, unlike the appellate court, had the advantage of observing the demeanour of the witnesses and hearing their evidence first hand.
20.In the case of Mbogo and Another vs. Shah [1968] EA 93 where the Court stated:
21.The duty of the first appellate Court was settled long ago by Clement De Lestang, VP, Duffus and Law JJA, in the locus Classicus case of Selle and another Vs Associated Motor Board Company and Others [1968] EA 123, where the law lords held by as follows:-
22.The Court is to bear in in mind that it had neither seen nor heard the witnesses. It is the trial court that has observed the demeanor and truthfulness of those witnesses. However, documents still speak for themselves. The observation of documents is the same as the lower court as parties cannot read into those documents matters extrinsic to them.
23.In the case of Peters vs Sunday Post Limited [1958] EA 424, court therein rendered itself as follows:-
24.Circumstances in which an Appellate court will interfere with the quantum of damages awarded by a Trial Court were clearly laid out in the case of Kenya Bus Services Limited vs. Jane Karambu Gituma Civil Appeal Case No. 241 of 2000 where the Court of Appeal stated as follows:
25.This Appeal being on quantum only, the principles guiding this Court as the first Appellate Court have crystalized. This is in recognition that the award of Damages in discretionary.
26.The Court of Appeal pronounced itself succinctly on the principles of disturbing awards of damages in Kemfro Africa Limited t/a “Meru Express Services (1976)” & another v Lubia & another (No 2) [1985] eKLR as follows:
27.The foregoing statement had been ably elucidated by Sir Kenneth O’Connor P, in restating the Common Law Principles earlier enunciated in the case at the Privy Council, that is, Nance v British Columbia Electric Co Ltd, in the decision of Henry Hilanga v Manyoka 1961, 705, 713 at paragraph c, where the Learned Judge ably pronounced himself as follows regarding disturbing quantum of damages:-'The principles which apply under this head are not in doubt. Whether the assessment of damages be by the Judge or Jury, the Appellate Court is not justified in substituting a figure of its own for that awarded simply because it would have awarded a different figure if it had tried the case at the first instance.'
28.The words of Lord Denning in the West (H) & Son Ltd (1964) A.C. 326 at page 341 on excessive awards on damages are important to replicate herein thus:
29.The words of Lord Denning were reiterated by Nyarangi, JA. in Kigaragari v Aya [1985] eKLR thus:
30.Further, in the case of Kilda Osbourne v George Barned and Metropolitan Management Transport Holdings Ltd & another Claim No. 2005 HCV 294 being guided by the principles enunciated by both Lord Morris and Lord Devlin in H. West & Sons Ltd v Shephard {1963} 2 ALL ER 625 Sykes J stated as follows:
31.It is thus common reasoning that astronomical awards may lead to increased insurance premiums thus hurting the insurance industry as well as the economy. See the case of H. West and Son Ltd v. Shepherd [1964] AC.326 (supra) where it was stated that:…but money cannot renew a physical frame that has been battered and shattered. All that judges and courts can do is to award sums which must be regarded as giving reasonable compensation.In the process there must be the endeavour to secure some uniformity in the general method of approach. By common consent awards must be reasonable and must be assessed with moderation. Furthermore, it is eminently desirable that so far as possible comparable injuries should be compensated by comparable awards. When all this is said it still must be that amounts which are awarded are to a considerable extent conventional…..”
32.With the above guide, if the Award is inordinately high, then I will have to set it aside. If, however, it is just high but not inordinately high, I will not do so. For the Appellate Court to interfere with the Award, it is not enough to show that the Award is high or had I handled the case in the Subordinate Court I would have awarded a different figure.1.I now proceed to establish whether the Respondent was entitled to the reliefs awarded. In David Bagine v Martin Bundi [1997] eKLR, the Court of Appeal cited the judgment by Lord Goddard CJ. in Bonham Carter v Hyde Park Hotel Limited (1948) 64 TLR 177), where he that:
34.Further, in Anne Wambui Ndiritu –vs- Joseph Kiprono Ropkoi & Another [2005] 1 EA 334, the Court of Appeal held that:
35.Further, in Evans Nyakwana –vs- Cleophas Bwana Ongaro [2015] eKLR it was held that:
36.The Respondent suffered the following injuries:Fracture of the left tibiaFracture of the left fibulaFracture of the right femurBruises to the left legRecurrent painsInability too lift heavy loadSurgical scarPermanent disability of 40% to the right legPermanent disability of 20% to the left leg
37.I have reevaluated the evidence produced by the Respondent. I note that the injuries are what was stated in the Respondent’s Doctor’s Medical Report by Dr. Cyprianus Okoth Were dated 23rd August 2019, which was produced in evidence. The Appellants’ doctor Dr. Wambugu’s Medical Report dated 18th May 2021 did not dispute the injuries however, it observed that the fractures have united and the metal implants may be removed after one year. In my view, the second medical report did not state that the Plaintiff’s fractures had healed nor was it his case that the implants should removed immediately.
38.I have perused the memorandum of appeal and the submissions and I cannot find the Appellant’s reason for challenging the award on future medical expenses. I note the Appellants’ medical doctor prosed the future medical expenses of removing the implant to be Ksh. 110,000/- while the Respondent’s medical doctor proposed Ksh. 250,000/- and which the court awarded. In my view, I do not find the award by the learned magistrate to be excessive.
39.This Court appreciates that Courts have impressively expressed the extend of application of an expert opinion in judicial proceedings and the general trend is that such evidence is not necessarily conclusive and binding. As was held in Shah and Another vs. Shah and Others [2003] 1 EA 290:
40.Further, the Court of Appeal, on its part in Kimatu Mbuvi T/A Kimatu Mbuvi & Bros vs. Augustine Munyao Kioko Civil Appeal No. 203 of 2001 [2007] 1 EA 139 held that:
41.Furthermore, in Parvin Singh Dhalay vs. Republic [1997] eKLR; [1995-1998] 1 EA 29, it was held that:
42.I find and hold that the fact that there would be need for the removal of the implant was not disputed and the cost thereof would certainly vary depending on the facility where the implant is to be removed. I find that the award of Kshs. 250,000/- by the learned magistrate was based on the projection by the Respondent’s medical doctor and which I consequently have no basis to interfere with for the reasons already stated above.
43.On general damages, in assessing injuries arising from a road traffic accident, consistency in the award of damages is necessary for judicial predictability and certainty. This is achieved through awarding similar injuries with similar or relatively similar damages. The Court of Appeal in Odinga Jacktone Ouma V Moureen Achieng Odera [2016] eKLR stated that “comparable injuries should attract comparable awards”
44.The principle on the award of damages is settled. In Charles Oriwo Odeyo vs. Appollo Justus Andabwa & Another [2017] eKLR the court set out the principles which guide the court in the assessment of damages in a personal injury case. The considerations include but not limited to; -
45.My duty is thus to analyze similar injury cases to arrive at the decision whether the learned magistrate did not factor in the principles applicable to the award of general damages.
46.I understand no single case is typically identical to the other. In Penina Waithira Kaburu v LP [2019] eKLR, the Court stated thus on the issue of award of general damages –
47.In the case of David Mutembei v Maurice Ochieng Odoyo (2019) eKLR, the Respondent suffered injuries of a fracture of the right femur and a proximal fracture of the left tibia. An award of Ksh 1, 600, 000/= was reduced on appeal to Ksh 800, 000/=.
48.In Reuben Mongare Keba v LPN (2016) eKLR the respondent suffered fracture of the tibia-fibula bones of right leg, dislocation of the right hip joint, bruises on the chin, fracture of the right femur and degloving injury of the right leg. An award of Ksh 800,000/= was made in general damages.
49.In Mary Pamela Oyioma v Yess Holdings Limited (2011) eKLR the court awarded Kshs 900,000/= in general damages for comminuted fracture of the right femur, compound fracture of the left tibia, soft tissue injuries of the right shoulder and multiple cut wounds all over the body.
50.In my view, the injuries in Mary Pamela Oyioma (supra) were the most comparable to the injuries suffered by the Respondent herein. Therein, the Plaintiff suffered comminuted fracture of the right femur, compound fracture of the left tibia, soft tissue injuries of the right shoulder and multiple cut wounds all over the body while in this case the Respondent suffered injuries as listed below:Fracture of the left tibiaFracture of the left fibulaFracture of the right femurBruises to the left legRecurrent painsInability too lift heavy loadSurgical scar
51.On this basis, and regarding lapse of time and inflation since the year 2011, I find that the award of Kshs. 1,300,000/- in General Damages was not inordinately high as to amount to an erroneous estimate of damages and injustice to the Appellants. would in my view be adequate compensation to the Respondent. I consequently decline to interfere with the Judgment of the Trail Court to this on this award.
52.The Appellant also appealed against the award of Special Damages. With special damages, the rule is strict and somewhat mathematical. The court has to discern pleaded damages and proceed to find their proof. It is not based on estimates. The Court of Appeal in Jogoo Kimakia Bus Services Ltd vs. Electrocom International Ltd [1992] KLR 177 where it was stated that:
54.In Joseph Kipkorir Rono vs. Kenya Breweries Limited & Another Kericho HCCA No. 45 of 2003, Kimaru, J held that:
55.The court awarded special damages that were pleaded and I have perused the receipts and noted that the award on special damages of Kshs. 24,270 was proved. I dismiss the appeal on special damages.
56.On future medical expenses, the court awarded Kshs. 250,000/=. I note there is no appeal this award and will leave it to rest.
57.On the ground that the Court did not subject the damages to the agreed liability of 85:15. I note on the face of judgement that indeed it is liability of 85:15 that was agreed and adopted by the parties by way of consent on o 21st March 2022. The Court of Appeal decision in Flora N. Wasike vs. Destimo Wamboko [1988] KLR 429; [1982-88] 1 KAR 625. In that case the Court expressed itself as hereunder:
58.Consequently, the consent of 85:15 in respect of liability became an order of court and a contract between the parties after it was adopted on 21st March 2022. It was therefore in error for the learned magistrate to impose liability of 100% for the Respondent when parties had consented and adopted as a court order liability of 85:15 in favour of the Respondent. It was a reversible error of fact which I overrule and reinstate the liability of 85:15 as agreed and recorded by the parties and adopted by the court.
59.However, in my view, it was not necessary for the Appellants to appeal against the apparent error of the court on liability. The error could be corrected by way of review or under the slip rule.
60.In the upshot, I make the following orders: -i.The Appeal is on the award of General Damages is dismissed.ii.The Judgement of the trial court on liability is set aside and substituted with liability ratio of 85:15 in favour of the Respondent.iii.As the Appellants had the opportunity to correct the error on liability at the lower court which they failed, the Respondent will have the costs of the Appeal which I assess at Kshs. 100,000/-.
DELIVERED, DATED AND SIGNED AT MOMBASA, VIRTUALLY ON THIS 24TH DAY OF MAY, 2024. JUDGEMENT DELIVERED THROUGH MICROSOFT TEAMS ONLINE PLATFORM..KIZITO MAGAREJUDGEIn the presence of: -Janjo for the AppellantNo appearance for the RespondentCourt clerk: BrianPage 10 of 10KIZITO MAGARE, J.