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Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd. v James Onunga Otieno & 2 others [2017] KEHC 2938 (KLR)

[2017] KEHC 2938 (KLR) High Court of Kenya
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Court
High Court of Kenya
Case number
2938
Citation
[2017] KEHC 2938 (KLR)
Decided
12 October 2017
AI Summary Beta Machine-generated — may contain errors. Not legal advice.
TypeCivil AppealPostureAppeal from a judgment and decree of Hon. B. Kasavuli (Senior Resident Magistrate) in Winam PMCC No. 52 of 2013CoramGBM Kariuki, KLR Ong'udi
Holding

The appellant is wholly liable and the appeal is dismissed with costs to the Respondents.

Facts

The 1st Respondent's son was electrocuted at Obunga in Kisumu. The 1st Respondent sued the appellant for special and general damages, alleging the appellant illegally connected electricity to a barbed wire fence from the 2nd Respondent's meter box. The appellant admitted an electrocution occurred but denied liability.

Issues

  1. Whether the appellant was liable for the electrocution of the 1st Respondent's son
  2. Whether the appellant owed a duty of care to the public regarding the safety of its network

Reasoning

The court found the appellant responsible for transmitting and distributing electricity to Obunga, and owed a duty of care to the public. The appellant's failure to conduct routine inspections and maintenance was considered negligence.

Outcome

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed with costs to the Respondents

Authorities cited

Cases cited (2)
  • Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd. V. Irene Chemutai [2015]eKLR
  • Kenya Power & Lighting Co. Ltd. V. Joseph Khaemba Njoria [2005]eKLR
Experimental AI summary generated by a language model, not a lawyer. It may contain errors or omissions and must not be relied on for legal decisions — the full judgment below is the authoritative source.
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