Centurion Contractors & Agencies (K) Ltd v Nyeri Concrete (K) Ltd..Defendant/Respondent [2016] KEELC 1157 (KLR)
The bottom line
#A Kenyan court refused to stop a quarrying operation because the complainant had no independent expert report linking the damage to the mining activities.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Questions the Court framed
#The issues the Court set itself to decide, in its own words.
- 1.Whether the applicant has established a prima facie case with probability of success
- 2.Whether the respondent's licenses to conduct quarry mining and use explosives are valid
- 3.Whether the alleged damage to the applicant's property and employee's sheep is linked to the respondent's activities
- 4.Whether an injunction should issue or whether damages would be an adequate remedy
- 5.Where the balance of convenience lies
Key legal issues
#Whether a prima facie case was established
The applicant failed to establish a prima facie case with probability of success.
The court found that the deponent, though claiming to be an Engineer, annexed no independent report from an impartial party or concerned authority linking the damage to the respondent's activities. The only evidence was a photograph of a fatally wounded sheep and alleged structural damage. A sheep being a mobile animal, the isolated incident could not prove the case.
Adequacy of damages as an alternative remedy
Damages would adequately compensate, so injunctive relief was inappropriate.
Applying the trite principle that injunctions are not granted where damages suffice, the court noted the applicant did not contend that damages could not compensate for the alleged destruction of property.
Balance of convenience
The balance of convenience tilts in favour of maintenance of the status quo.
Despite finding against the applicant, the court observed that the dispute could be resolved by restraining the use of explosives, but noted the applicant had neither sought such restraint nor proved linkage between the explosives and the damage.
Legal principles established
#- An applicant for a temporary injunction must establish a prima facie case with probability of success, supported by competent and impartial evidence
- An injunction will not issue if the claimant can be adequately compensated by an award of damages
Court orders
#- 1.The application dated 1st October 2015 dismissed with costs to the respondent
The bench
#One judgment of the whole court — no separate or dissenting opinions.
Wrote the judgment
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Environment and Land Court jurisdiction, including power under Section 108 of the Environment Management Coordination Act (EMCA)
Relief refused
#Temporary injunction restraining the respondent from carrying out rock extraction/quarry mining operations on L.R No. Aguthi/Gatitu/1601 or near Aguthi/Gatitu 2381
No prima facie case with probability of success established; no independent report linking damage to respondent's activities; damages adequate; balance of convenience favours status quo
Costs
Application dismissed with costs to the respondent
Quotable passages
#Verbatim from the judgment, each located to the page it appears on in the official PDF — so these can be cited and checked directly.
In view of the foregoing, I find and hold that the application dated 1 st October, 2015 has no merit and dismiss it with costs to the respondent.
It is trite law that an injunction will not issue if the claimant can be adequately compensated by award of damages.
In the absence of any report from the concerned authorities or a competent but impartial witness concerning the activities of the respondent, this court is unable to link the alleged damage to the activities of the respondent.
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Centurion Contractors & Agencies (K) Ltd v Nyeri Concrete (K) Ltd..Defendant/Respondent [2016] KEELC 1157 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2016). Notice of motion dated 1st October 2015 (suit pending, Environment and Land Court). Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2016/1157/eng@2016-01-26
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.