Edward Githinji & 131 Others v Kenya Medical Research Institute & 6 others
The bottom line
#Kenya's Court of Appeal granted workers extra time to appeal because delays waiting for certified court documents don't count against them.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Whether there was inordinate and unexplained delay warranting denial of extension of time
No inordinate delay; the certified-proceedings period was excluded under the proviso to Rule 84(1) as evidenced by the Certificate of Delay, and service of the request on the respondent was uncontested.
The court applied Rule 84(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022: where an appellant applies in writing for certified proceedings within thirty days and serves the application on the respondent, the time taken to prepare and deliver the copy is excluded. The Certificate of Delay showed preparation ran from 13th November 2023 to 25th November 2024, so the sixty-day period only began running on 26th November 2024. Reliance on the proviso required only proof of service of the written request, which the respondents did not contest.
Whether the respondents would suffer prejudice if the extension were granted
The respondents would suffer no prejudice; extension granted.
The court weighed the Salat factors: length and reason for delay, prejudice to respondents, and whether the application was brought without undue delay. Since the delay in filing the record was attributable to the registry's preparation of proceedings, an eventuality outside the applicants' control, and the application was filed before the sixty days lapsed, the respondents suffered no prejudice. The application was found merited and leave was granted for thirty days, with each party bearing own costs.
Legal principles established
#- Extension of time is a discretionary, equitable remedy available only to a deserving party who explains the delay and shows no prejudice to the respondent.
- Under the proviso to Rule 84(1) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022, the time certified by the registrar for preparation of proceedings is excluded where the appellant's written application for the copy was served on the respondent.
- There is no minimum or maximum period of delay; any delay must be satisfactorily explained.
Court orders
#- 1.The applicants are granted leave to file and serve a Record of Appeal against the judgment delivered on 26th October 2023 in ELRC Cause No. 1545 of 2018 within thirty (30) days of the date of delivery of the ruling
- 2.Each party to meet their own costs of the application
- On appeal from
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Cause No. 1545 of 2018
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022 (extension of time to file Record of Appeal)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Edward Githinji & 131 Others v Kenya Medical Research Institute & 6 others", Case Analysis (2025). Application dated 28th November 2024 (Cause No. 1545 of 2018, ELRC Nairobi). Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keca/2025/1556/eng@2025-10-03
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.