Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board v Commission on Administrative Justice & 2

others (Petition 42 of 2019) [2021] KESC 35 (KLR) (24 March 2021) (Judgment)
Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board v Commission on Administrative Justice & 2 others [2021] eKLR
Neutral citation: [2021] KESC 35 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF KENYA
PETITION 42 OF 2019
PM MWILU, AG.CJ & AG. P, MK IBRAHIM, SC
WANJALA, NS NDUNGU & I LENAOLA, SCJJ
MARCH 24, 2021

BETWEEN
KENYA VISION 2030 DELIVERY BOARD ......................................... APPELLANT

AND
THE COMMISSION ON ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE .......... 1ST RESPONDENT
THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL .......................................... 2ND RESPONDENT
ENG. JUDAH ABEKAH ............................................................... 3RD RESPONDENT

(Being an appeal from the Judgment of the Court of Appeal at Nairobi (Nambuye,
Kiage & Murgor) in Civil Appeal No. 141 of 2015 delivered on 27th September 2019)

Recommendations made by the Commission on Administrative Justice to public bodies are not
binding
In the instant case the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board declined to implement the recommendation of the
Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) concerning the Board’s employee. The court held that whereas CAJ
had the requisite mandate to make recommendations to public officers or public bodies, the recommendations were
not binding. A recommendation could only be binding when its binding nature was specifically provided for under
the Constitution or the law. The court noted that neither the Constitution nor the Commission on Administrative
Justice Act provided that CAJ's recommendations were binding. Consequently, the Board had the discretion to
determine the manner in which they were to implement CAJ's recommendations.
Reported by Beryl Ikamari
Constitutional Law - constitutional commissions - Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) - mandate and
powers of CAJ - whether the recommendations made to public bodies by CAJ were binding - Constitution of Kenya
2010, article 254; Commission on Administrative Justice Act, No 23 of 2011, section 43(3).

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Judicial Review – unfair administrative action - remedies - damages - whether the Court of Appeal could award
damages in a judicial review appeal whose subject matter was a failure to implement the recommendations of the
Commission on Administrative Justice.
Evidence Law - burden of proof - burden of proof in cases of abuse of discretion by public officers - who bore the
burden of proof in cases of abuse of discretion by public officers where exceptional circumstances were pleaded.
Brief facts
The 3rd respondent was employed under a three-year employment contract by the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery
Board (the Board) in the position of Director (Enablers and Macro). The contract was renewable six months
before its expiry. The 3rd respondent's employment contract was not renewed on grounds that his performance
was below par. The 3rd respondent appealed to the Minister for Planning and National Development and
Vision 2030 (the Minister). The Minister renewed his contract for a year but the Board declined to allow him
back to work.
The 3rd respondent then sought the assistance of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ). The
conclusions of CAJ were that the Board violated articles 47 and 59 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010
(Constitution) as well as sections 2 and 8(a), (b), and (d) of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act
on fair administrative action. CAJ recommended the Board to pay the respondent the equivalent of twelve
months' salary and allowances in compensation for the one-year period of the reviewed contract, to allow the
3rd respondent to collect his personal eects from his former oce and oer him an unconditional apology
for how they had treated him. The Board declined to implement the recommendations and CAJ led judicial
review proceedings at the High Court.
The High Court's ndings were that it could not compel the implementation of CAJ's recommendations
and that the only thing that CAJ could do when an organization failed to implement its recommendations
was to make a report to the National Assembly which would take appropriate action under section 44(4)
of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act. Generally, the High Court stated that since CAJ lacked
coercive power to compel the implementation of its recommendations, the court could also not compel a
Government agency to implement the recommendations. An exception to those rules which would allow the
court to compel the implementation of such recommendations was where there was a gross abuse of discretion,
manifest injustice or palpable excess of authority equivalent to a denial of a settled right to which the petitioner
was entitled, and there was no other plain, speedy and accurate remedy. An appeal was lodged against the High
Court's decision.
The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and granted the orders of mandamus as sought and also monetary
compensation for violation of fair administrative action rights. The Court of Appeal stated that CAJ's options
in situations where its recommendations were not implemented were not limited to reporting to the National
Assembly. It explained that article 254 of the Constitution did not suggest that recommendations had no force
of law or were incapable of enforcement by a court of law.
Issues
i. Whether the recommendations of the Commission on Administrative Justice were binding on public bodies.
ii. Whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to award damages in a judicial review appeal, where the
damages were a remedy sought for a failure to implement the recommendations of the Commission on
Administrative Justice.
iii. Who bore the burden of proof in cases of abuse of discretion by public ocers where exceptional
circumstances were pleaded?
Held
1. Section 5 of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act implied that the powers conferred upon
CAJ were in addition to the power of commissions in article 253 of the Constitution. Like any other
constitutional commission, CAJ was required as soon as practicable, after the end of each nancial

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 year, to submit a report to the President and to Parliament. It was wrong for the Court of Appeal to
conclude that the report required under article 254(1) of the Constitution was dierent from reporting
on its investigative reports made in the discharge of its mandate.
2. A reading of section 8 of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act which set out the functions of
CAJ indicated that CAJ was mandated to investigate complaints of abuse of power, unfair treatment,
manifest injustice or unlawful, oppressive, unfair or unresponsive ocial conduct within the public
sector. Therefore, CAJ had the mandate to entertain and make recommendations with regard to the
3rd respondent's complaint.
3. Section 29 of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act provided that after investigating a
complaint about how administrative action had been undertaken by a public ocer or public body,
CAJ was under a mandatory obligation to resolve the complaint through conciliation, mediation
or negotiation. If the matter could not be resolved, and CAJ found that administrative action was
undertaken unjustly or unreasonably, CAJ would make recommendations as it deemed t.
4. Whereas CAJ had the requisite mandate to make recommendations to public ocers or public bodies,
the recommendations were not binding. A recommendation could only be binding when its binding
nature was specically provided for under the Constitution or the law. Neither the Constitution nor
the Commission on Administrative Justice Act provided that CAJ's recommendations were binding.
Consequently, the Board had the discretion to determine the manner in which they were to implement
CAJ's recommendations.
5. Under section 42(4) of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, the remedy where there had
been non-compliance with the recommendations of the CAJ, was for the CAJ to prepare a report
of the Board’s failure to implement the recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate
action. Not even a court of law could dictate the manner in which a CAJ recommendation should be
implemented. The only exception was where there was a gross abuse of discretion, manifest injustice
or palpable excess of authority equivalent to a denial of a settled right to which the aggrieved party was
entitled and there was no other plain, speedy and accurate remedy. The 3rd respondent's circumstances
did not fall within the exception.
6. Where exceptional circumstances were pleaded, the party aggrieved by the alleged abuse of discretion
by a public ocer, had to prove that the exceptional circumstances existed. The 3rd respondent did not
discharge that burden of proof.
7. The following were the guiding principles on recommendations from commissions to public bodies: -
a. Any power to make a recommendation ought to be specically provided for in the
Constitution or in law.
b. Recommendations did not necessarily bind the person to whom, or entity to which, it was
addressed.
c. A recommendation from a commission was only binding upon a public entity where it has
been specically provided for in the Constitution or in law.
d. The manner in which a recommendation was to be implemented by a public entity was
discretionary.
e. Exercise of discretion in implementing a recommendation could only be interfered with where
there was a gross abuse of discretion, manifest injustice or palpable excess of authority.
f. Any recommendation by a commission that was not implemented could be reported to
Parliament for any further action, if necessary.
8. Since CAJ's recommendations were not binding on the Board, there was no basis for the Court of
Appeal to award monetary compensation to the 3rd respondent.
9. Under section 8(c) of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, CAJ had the mandate to award
compensation but that provision should not be read in isolation. Section 41 of the Commission on
Administrative Justice Act provided for options that CAJ had after the conclusion of an inquiry.

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 They included referring the matter to the relevant authority (which included the National Assembly)
or recommending to the 3rd respondent a course of other judicial redresses, recommending to the
complainant appropriate methods of settling the complaint or obtaining relief and providing a copy of
the inquiry report to all interested parties or submitting summons as it deemed t to fulll its mandate.
10. Since the dispute was an employer-employee dispute, CAJ ought to have recommended to the 3rd
respondent an appropriate method of settling the dispute. One of those methods would be to seek
redress at the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
11. CAJ could not usurp the role of the ELRC over employment disputes and award compensation.
CAJ, under section 8(g) of the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, could only recommend
compensation or other appropriate remedies against a person or bodies to which the Act applied.
Appeal allowed.
Orders
i. The petition of appeal dated November 6, 2019 and filed on November 7, 2019 was allowed.
ii. The judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting at Nairobi, September 27, 2019 was quashed and set aside.
iii. For the avoidance of doubt, the judgment of the High Court delivered on February 26, 2015, was upheld.
iv. Costs of the appeal to abide the appeal.
Citations
Cases
Kenya
1. Council of Governors & 47 others v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties); Katiba Institute &
2 others (Amicus Curiae) Reference 3 of 2019; [2020] eKLR - (Applied)
2. Hamisi, Kakuta Maimai v Peris Pesi Tobiko & 2 others Civil Appeal 154 of 2013; [2013] eKLR -
(Explained)
3. In the Matter of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission [2011] 2 KLR 32 - (Explained)
4. In the Matter of the National Land Commission Advisory Opinion No 2 of 2014; [2015] eKLR -
(Explained)
5. Mate, Justus Kariuki & another v Martin Nyaga Wambora & another Petition 32 of 2014; [2017]
eKLR - (Explained)
6. Rai & 3 others v Rai & 4 others [2014] 2 KLR 253 - (Explained)
7. Speaker, Nakuru County Assembly & 46 others v Commission on Revenue Allocation & 3 others Petition
368 of 2014; [2015] eKLR - (Explained)
8. Vuko, Samson Chembe v Nelson Kilumo & 2 others Civil Appeal 65 of 2015; [2016] eKLR - (Explained)
Uganda
Sentiba Gordon & 2 others v Inspector of Government [2010] UGSC 30 - (Explained)
South Africa
1. Democratic Alliance v Speaker of the National Assembly and others [2016] ZACC 11 - (Explained)
2. Economic Freedom Fighters v Speaker of the National Assembly and others [2016] ZACC 11 -
(Explained)
3. SABC v DA (393/2015) [2015] ZASCA 156 - (Explained)
Zanzibar
1. Selle & another v Associated Motorboat Company & others [1968] EA 123 - (Explained)
United Kingdom
1. R (Bradley) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2008] EWCA Civ 36 - (Explained)
Texts
Garner, BA., (Ed) (), Black’s Law Dictionary St Paul Minnesota: West Group

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Statutes
Kenya
1. Appellate Jurisdiction Act (cap 9) section 3(2) - (Interpreted)
2. Commission on Administrative Justice Act, 2011 (Act No 23 of 2011) sections 2, 3, 5, 8(a)(b)(d)(g);
29; 30; 41; 42(4); 43(3); 44(4) - (Interpreted)
3. Constitution of Kenya, 2010 articles 19, 22(1)(2); 47; 59,(2)(4)(5)(b)(h)(i)(j); 159(1)(4),(2); 163(4)(a);
165(5)(1)(2); 253; 254(1) - (Interpreted)
4. Court of Appeal Rules, 2010 (cap 9 Sub Leg) rule 31 - (Interpreted)
5. Employment and Labour Relations Court Act, 2011 (Act No 20 of 2011) section 12(3) - (Interpreted)
Advocates
None mentioned

JUDGMENT

Background
1. This Petition of Appeal is dated November 6, 2019 and was led on November 7, 2019. The appellant
has challenged the entire Judgment and orders of the Court of Appeal (Nambuye, Kiage & Murgor)
at Nairobi in Civil Appeal No 141 of 2015 delivered on September 27, 2019.

2. This matter can be traced to the publication of Kenya Gazette Notice No 1386 of February 17, 2009
which established the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board (“the Board”) to, inter alia, make policies,
provide advice and overall leadership, oversight, guidance and policy direction in the implementation
of the Vision 2030. As part of meeting its objectives, the Board placed an advertisement in the daily
newspapers for the position of Director (Enablers and Macro) within its establishment. The 3rd
respondent secured a three-year contract of employment for this position with the Board, eective
March 23, 2009. Clause 6 of the contract provided for renewal of the contract six months to expiry,
but subject to approval by the Board. Six months to the expiry of his contract, the 3rd respondent
wrote to the Board requesting for a renewal of his contract. His request was rejected on the grounds
that his performance was below par, and the contract was subsequently terminated through a decision
dated March 23, 2012.

3. Aggrieved by the Board’s decision, the 3rd respondent appealed to the Minister for Planning and
National Development and Vision 2030 (“the Minister”). The Minister renewed the 3rd respondent’s
contract for a period of one year, but the Board declined to allow him back to work. As a result, the 3rd
respondent sought the intervention of the 1st respondent, the Commission on Administrative Justice
(CAJ).

4. After investigating the matter, CAJ in a report dated October 10, 2013 concluded, inter alia, that the
Board had “impugned articles 47 and 59 of the Constitution and sections 2 and 8(a), (b) and (d) of
the Commission of Administrative Justice Act on fair administrative action.” Consequently, the CAJ
made recommendations to the Board to: pay the 3rd respondent an equivalent of twelve months salary
and allowances in compensation for the one year period of the reviewed contract; facilitate the 3rd
respondent to access his personal eects from his former oce; and oer him an unconditional apology
for the treatment meted out to him. The Board declined to implement CAJ’s recommendations
prompting the 3rd respondent to le JR Case No 223 of 2014, Republic v Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery
Board & another ex-parte Eng Judah Abekah.

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5. At the High Court, the 3rd respondent sought an order of mandamus to compel the Board to comply
with the recommendations of CAJ, compensation, and costs. The High Court identied three issues
for determination as follows: Did CAJ have jurisdiction to determine the matter which had given rise
to these proceedings? Can the decisions of CAJ be enforced by issuance of an order of mandamus?
and Who should bear the costs of the proceedings?

6. On February 26, 2015, the High Court (W Korir, J), found that although CAJ had the powers
to investigate the 3rd respondent’s claim, it could not compel the manner in which such
recommendations, ndings or reports could be implemented. In the Learned Judge’s opinion, in
matters involving exercise of judgment and discretion, a public ocer or public agency can only be
directed to take action; it cannot be directed in the manner or the particular way the discretion is to
be exercised. Ultimately, the learned Judge found that CAJ does not have coercive powers over the
institutions that it investigates. The court found that where an organization refuses to implement the
recommendations of CAJ, the only action the Commission can take is to make a report to the National
Assembly. Thereafter, the National Assembly can take appropriate action pursuant to section 44(4)
of the Commission on Administration of Justice Act (CAJA). With regard to costs, the court ordered
each party to bear their own costs on the ground that even though the 3rd respondent’s application
had failed, it was not frivolous.

7. The Judge concluded that since the Commission cannot compel a state agency to implement its
recommendations, it follows that a court cannot compel a government agency to implement such
recommendations through an order of mandamus. Further that the only exception where a court can
compel a public agency to implement a recommendation is where “there is gross abuse of discretion,
manifest injustice or palpable excess of authority” equivalent to denial of a settled right which the
petitioner is entitled, and there is no other plain, speedy and accurate remedy.” The trial court
concluded that the 3rd respondent had not invoked that exception to warrant issuance an order of
mandamus.

8. Aggrieved by the decision of the High Court, CAJ led Civil Appeal No 141 of 2015, Commission
on Administrative Justice v Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & 2 others. The 3rd respondent also
led a cross-appeal. The learned judges of Appeal (Nambuye, Kiage & Murgor) framed four issues
for determination as follows: whether CAJ had the mandate to intervene in the 3rd respondent’s
complaint; whether the Board is a public entity; whether the CAJ’s request to the Board to implement
its recommendations in favour of the 3rd respondent fell within the realm of performance of a public
duty; and whether in the circumstances of the appeal, the Judge exercised his discretion judiciously
when he dismissed the JR proceedings.

9. On September 27, 2019, the Court of Appeal allowed both the appeal and the cross-appeal. The
appellate court granted the 3rd respondent’s prayer for mandamus as was sought in the Judicial Review
Application; declared that the 3rd respondent’s right to fair administrative action was infringed and
awarded him KES 700,000/= as compensation with interest from the date of Judgment of the High
Court. The costs of appeal and cross-appeal were also awarded. In doing so, the Learned Judges of
Appeal agreed with the trial Judge’s nding only to the extent that CAJ had the powers to investigate
the 3rd respondent’s claim and make recommendations.

10. The court disagreed with the High Court’s nding to the eect that the only remedy available to
a beneciary of CAJ’s recommendations is limited to reporting of such ndings to the National
Assembly. The court found nothing in article 254 of the Constitution to suggest that such
recommendations have no force of law and are therefore not amenable to enforcement by a court of law.
It also found that the complaint raised by the 3rd respondent fell within the denition of administrative

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 action as dened in section 2 of the CAJA as it related to the Board’s failure to accede to the Minister’s
renewal of the 3rd respondent’s contract, and the failure to accede to CAJ’s request to convert the
Minister’s renewal of the said contract for one year to twelve (12) months’ salary compensation
together with other attendant remedies. The court emphasized that the Board’s actions fell within
the realm of public law and were therefore amenable to Judicial Review proceedings contrary to the
ndings of the Judge in the impugned decision.

11. Consequently, the court found that the 3rd respondent had demonstrated gross abuse of discretion,
and that the Board was bound to implement the recommendations of CAJ.

12. Aggrieved by the nding of the Court of Appeal, the Board led this appeal as of right pursuant to
article 163(4)(a) of the Constitution. The Board raises three grounds of appeal summarized as follows:

a. The appellate court incorrectly concluded that the recommendations of CAJ have the force of
law and are binding to public bodies;

b. The learned judges erred in law in holding that the fact that the Board did not challenge the
action of the Minister in extending the 3rd respondent’s contract or CAJ’s recommendations,
then the CAJ’s recommendations are binding on it; and

c. The learned judges erred by assessing damages in favour of the 3rd respondent when the High
Court did not make any assessment of damages.

Parties Submissions

(a) The appellant

13. The Board submits that the Court of Appeal solely relied on article 254(1) of the Constitution and
overlooked section 42(4) of the CAJA. In that context, the Board submits that article 254(1) of the
Constitution was not relevant to the matter before the court as it relates to the general obligation of
independent commissions to submit a report to the National Assembly at the end of each nancial
year. The Board contends that, pursuant to section 42(4) of the CAJA, the remedy where there has
been non-compliance with the recommendations of CAJ, is for CAJ to prepare a report of the Board’s
failure to implement the recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate action. Relying
on the authority of Samson Chembe Vuko v Nelson Kilumo & others [2016] eKLR, the Board maintains
that CAJ ought to have followed the procedure in the CAJA instead of seeking an order of mandamus.

14. Learned counsel for the Board further submits that in view of section 43(3) of the CAJA, CAJ’s
recommendations are not outrightly binding and that an order of mandamus will not issue where
there is discretion on the public body to act or not to act. Furthermore, that there is no provision in
the Constitution or in the CAJA that gives CAJ powers to enforce its decisions and recommendations
as if they were a court order. In support of this argument, the Board cites the cases of Kakuta Maimai
Hamisi v Peris Pesi Tobiko & 2 others [2013] eKLR, R(Bradley) v Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions [2008] EWCA Civ 36 (Pages 51 to 110) and Justus Kariuki Mate & another v Martin Nyaga
Wambora & another [2017] eKLR (pages 111 to 131). Learned Counsel also relied in the authority of
Council of Governors & 47 others v Attorney General & 3 others (Interested Parties); Katiba Institute &
2 others (Amicus Curiae), and SC Reference 3 of 2019; [2020] eKLR (In Re Council of Governors).

15. The Board furthermore submits that the recommendations of CAJ are not binding and that public
bodies have no obligation to implement them and takes issue with CAJ’s recommendations to
compensate the 3rd respondent despite the Minister communicating to him that the extension of his

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 contract had been declined. In that regard, the Board submits that the Court of Appeal converted what
was a normal Judicial Review Application into a Constitutional petition.

16. It is also the board’s submission that the 3rd respondent could not overlook or sidestep the laid down
dispute resolution institutions such as the courts and go directly to CAJ for a determination of their
grievance. Citing sections 8 and 30 of the CAJA, article 159(1) of the Constitution, the cases of Sentiba
Gordon & 2 others v Inspector of Government (Civil Appeal No 06 of 2008) [2010] UGSC 30 and In
Re the Matter of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission [2011] eKLR, the Board urges that
if the dispute between the parties was whether the 3rd respondent was entitled to the renewal of his
employment, then the same ought to have been led before the Employment and Labour Relations
Court.

17. Lastly, the Board faults the Court of Appeal for proceeding to assess damages on its own motion
instead of referring the matter back to the High Court for assessment of damages. The Board closes its
submission by praying that the appeal be allowed with costs.

(b) The Attorney General

18. We note that the Attorney General did not le its written submissions. However, Ms Chilaka,
appearing in person for the Attorney General on the date of the hearing, did associate herself with the
submissions of the Board to the extent that CAJ’s recommendations are not binding and therefore
have no force of law.

(c) The 1st respondent

19. In response, CAJ argues that it can make recommendations to a public body concerned in an alleged
violation and that those recommendations are binding by virtue of articles 19, 249(1), 22(1) &(2)
and 59(2),(4), (5)(b), (h),(i) & (j) of the Constitution. CAJ maintains that in article 59(2)(e) and (j) of
the Constitution, it does have the mandate to receive and investigate complaints about alleged abuses
of human rights and take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated,
report on complaints investigated under paragraphs (h) and (i) and take remedial action. CAJ also
submits that, under section 8(d) of the CAJA, it has an obligation to report to the National Assembly
bi-annually on the complaints investigated under paragraphs (a)and (b) and the remedial action taken
thereon.

20. In that regard, CAJ argues that there are several ways through which it can achieve its mandate
including recommendations, advisory opinions and proposals. Relying on the cases of SABC v DA
(393/2015([2015] ZASCA 156, Economic Freedom Fighters v Speaker of the National Assembly and
others Democratic Alliance v Speaker of the National Assembly and others [2016] ZACC 11, and Black’s
Law Dictionary, CAJ contends that it is empowered by the Constitution and the Act to make decisions
that are compelling or binding on the public ocers or bodies which are concerned in violations. It
states that its action was equivalent to a remedial action and not a recommendation.

21. In response to the Board’s submissions that the order of mandamus could not issue, CAJ submits that
the Board had a public duty to comply with its decision and failure to do so entitled the 3rd respondent
to an order of mandamus sought.

22. CAJ contends that it had jurisdiction to handle the 3rd respondent’s complaint for renewal of his
contract and that the process featured unfairness and irregularities which amounted to a breach of
article 47 of the Constitution on the right to fair administrative action. CAJ maintains that it was created
to compliment the court system and that chapter 4 of the Constitution does not set a hierarchy of

kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/209732/ 8
 jurisdiction of the courts vis a vis its mandate in dealing with complaints on violation of human rights.
Consequently, CAJ prays that this court upholds the Court of Appeal’s decision.

(d) The 3rd respondent

(23) In opposing the appeal, the 3rd respondent, while citing articles 59, 159(4), 249(1) (2), 252, 22(1) &
(2) of the Constitution and section 8 of the CAJA submits that CAJ ‘s recommendations have a binding
character unless challenged by a legal process and are duly set aside or varied.

24. The 3rd respondent therefore submits that the Board and other public bodies have an obligation to
implement the recommendations of CAJ unless challenged by a legal process and duly set aside or
varied.

25. The 3rd respondent urges that CAJ is a part of constitutional dispute resolution mechanisms which
are complementary to the court process. Further that the centrality of courts remains unchallenged
considering that enforcement of recommendations of CAJ require judicial intervention.

26. Concerning the Court of Appeal’s mandate to assess damages in favour of a party on appeal when the
High Court did not do so, the 3rd respondent while citing section 3(2) of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act,
rule 31 of the Court of Appeal Rules, and the case of Selle & another v Associated Motor boat Company
& others [1968] EA 123, submits that the Court of Appeal did not err in assessing damages.

C. Issues for Determination

27. From the above submissions, the following issues crystalize for determination:

i. Whether the recommendations of CAJ are binding on public bodies and if public bodies have
an obligation to implement CAJ’s recommendations?

ii. Whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to award damages?

iii. If the answer to (i) is in the armative, what are the appropriate reliefs?

(i) Whether the Recommendations of CAJ are Binding on Public Bodies?

28. CAJ is established under section 3 of the CAJA as a successor to the Public Complaints Standing
Committee. The CAJA is an Act of Parliament to restructure the Kenya National Human Rights and
Equality Commission Justice pursuant to article 59(4) of the Constitution. Regarding the powers of
CAJ, section 5 of the CAJA specically provides as follows:

“ In addition to the powers of a Commission under article 253 of the Constitution, the
Commission shall have power to—

(a) acquire, hold, charge and dispose of movable and immovable property; and

(b) do or perform all such other things or acts for the proper discharge of its
functions under the Constitution and this Act as may lawfully be done or
performed by a body corporate.”

Section 5 implies that the powers conferred upon CAJ are in addition to the power of commissions
in article 253 of the Constitution. Article 253 of the Constitution makes provision for incorporation of
Commissions, whilst article 254 of the Constitution makes provision for reporting by the same.

29. All constitutional Commissions and independent oces have an obligation under article 254(1) of
the Constitution, “as soon as practicable, after the end of each nancial year to submit a report to the

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President and to Parliament”. These reports may be limited to a particular issue. From the foregoing
provisions, it is evident to us that the CAJA was to give eect to article 59(4) of the Constitution. CAJ
is also bound by the provisions of article 254(1) of the Constitution. We therefore nd fault in the
Court of Appeal’s conclusion that the reporting that is anticipated to be done by CAJ to Parliament,
is separate or dierent from the reporting of its investigative report undertaken in discharge of its
mandate in any given year. [30] Further, the CAJA is clear on the functions of the CAJ in the following
terms:

“ [8]. The functions of the Commission shall be to—

(a) investigate any conduct in state aairs, or any act or omission in public
administration by any State organ, State or public ocer in National and
County Governments that is alleged or suspected to be prejudicial or improper
or is likely to result in any impropriety or prejudice;

(b) investigate complaints of abuse of power, unfair treatment, manifest injustice

or unlawful, oppressive, unfair or unresponsive ocial conduct within the
public sector;

(c) report to the National Assembly bi-annually on the complaints investigated

under paragraphs (a) and (b), and the remedial action taken thereon;

(d) inquire into allegations of maladministration, delay, administrative injustice,

discourtesy, incompetence, misbehavior, ineciency or ineptitude within the
public service;

(e) facilitate the setting up of, and build complaint handling capacity in, the
sectors of public service, public oces and state organs;

(f) work with dierent public institutions to promote alternative dispute

resolution methods in the resolution of complaints relating to public
administration;

(g) recommend compensation or other appropriate remedies against persons or

bodies to which this Act applies;

(h) provide advisory opinions or proposals on improvement of public

administration, including review of legislation, codes of conduct, processes
and procedures;

(i) publish periodic reports on the status of administrative justice in Kenya;

(j) promote public awareness of policies and administrative procedures on

matters relating to administrative justice;

(k) take appropriate steps in conjunction with other State organs and
Commissions responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights
to facilitate promotion and protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms
of the individual in public administration;

(l) work with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to ensure
eciency, eectiveness and complementarity in their activities and to establish
mechanisms for referrals and collaboration; and

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 (m) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Constitution and any
other written law."

30. From the foregoing provisions, it is not contested that CAJ is mandated to investigate complaints of
abuse of power, unfair treatment, manifest injustice or unlawful, oppressive, unfair or unresponsive
ocial conduct within the public sector. We therefore agree with both superior courts’ nding that
CAJ was mandated to entertain and make recommendations with regard to the 3rd Respondent’s
complaint.

31. Under section 29 of the CAJA, once it has investigated a complaint arising from the carrying out
of an administrative action of a public ocer or any other public body, CAJ is under mandatory
obligation to resolve the matter before it by conciliation, mediation or negotiation. If the matter cannot
be resolved, and it determines that the administrative action was carried out unjustly or unreasonably,
the CAJ shall make such recommendations as it deems t.

32. Section 41 of the CAJA also provides for action to be taken by CAJ following an inquiry in the
following terms:

“ The Commission may, upon inquiry into a complaint under this Act take any of the
following steps—

(a) where the inquiry discloses a criminal oence, refer the matter to the Director
of Public Prosecutions or any other relevant authority or undertake such
other action as the Commission may deem t against the concerned person or
persons;

(b) recommend to the complainant a course of other judicial redress which does
not warrant an application under article 22 of the Constitution;

(c) recommend to the complainant and to the relevant governmental agency or

other body concerned in the alleged violation, other appropriate methods of
settling the complaint or to obtain relief;

(d) provide a copy of the inquiry report to all interested parties; and

(e) submit summonses as it deems necessary in fullment of its mandate. “

33. Furthermore, under section 44 of the CAJA, where CAJ concludes that the person or State Organ or
public oce or organization being investigated is guilty of misconduct, it has an obligation to report
the matter to the appropriate authority.

34. The bone of contention, then, is whether these recommendations are binding on such public bodies.

35. In the Matter of the National Land Commission, Advisory Opinion Reference 2 of 2014; [2015] eKLR,
in her concurring opinion, Ndungu, SCJ, dened the words ‘recommend’, advise, research, investigate,
encourage, assess, monitor and oversight’ to mean actions that provide a facilitative role rather than a
primary one. In her opinion, the context in which those words are used, presumes that there is another
body or organ whom such recommendations, advice, research, investigations, encouragement, and
assessment shall be sent to, received by, and in relation to which the proposals shall be implemented. In
her opinion, a body with oversight function, and a Body that implements the recommendations of the
former, are dierent, and their roles do not overlap. For this reason, there is need for clear separation
of roles between a body providing oversight, and a body upon which the oversight is to be conducted.

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36. Also, In Re Council of Governors, this court dened a recommendation as follows:

“ (52) In our considered opinion, the term “recommendation” is the operational

yardstick in this entire debate. In this regard, we agree with those who have
submitted that this term should rst and foremost, be accorded its literal and
natural meaning. Towards this end, generally speaking, a recommendation is
a suggestion or proposal, for a certain cause of action. Such proposal does not
ordinarily bind the person to whom, or entity to which, it is addressed. It is
for the recipient of a recommendation, to determine what import he should
attach to it. However, the categories of recommendations are never closed.
Recommendations may dier, in their meaning, nature and eect, depending
on the context in which they are deployed.”

37. On the binding nature of the recommendations by the Commission on Revenue Allocation, this court
found as follows:

“ [60] Taking all these into account, it is our considered opinion that the recommendations
by the Commission on Revenue Allocation are not binding upon either the National
Assembly, or the Senate. What the two Houses cannot do however is to ignore or casually
deal with such recommendations. To hold otherwise, would elevate the Commission
above Parliament in the legislative chain. We therefore agree with both the Speaker of the
National Assembly and the Law Society in their submissions to the eect that, it could
not have been the intention of the makers of the Constitution to supplant the legislative
authority of Parliament in matters Finance, by establishing the Commission on Revenue
Allocation.” [emphasis added]

38. Similarly, In Re Council of Governors, this court was persuaded by the High Court decision
Speaker, Nakuru County Assembly & 46 others v Commission on Revenue Allocation & 3 others, HC
Constitutional Petition No 368 of 2014; [2015] eKLR, where Lenaola, J (as he then was) found
that the recommendations addressed to all the 47 County Assemblies and County Executives, by the
Commission on Revenue Allocation were not binding to the Senate but for good order, reasons for
a deviation must be given.

39. From the foregoing Constitutional provisions, the statutory provisions and authorities highlighted, it
is our nding that whereas CAJ has the requisite mandate to make recommendations to a public ocer
or a public body, the same is not binding. A recommendation can only be binding when the same is
specically provided for in the Constitution or in law. Neither the Constitution nor the CAJA states
that CAJ’s recommendations are binding. Consequently, the Board had the discretion to determine
the manner in which they were to implement CAJ’s recommendations. Towards that end, we nd and
arm that the CAJ’s recommendations to inter alia: pay the 3rd respondent an equivalent of twelve
months salary and allowances in compensation for a one-year period of the reviewed contract; facilitate
the 3rd respondent to access his personal eects from his former oce; and oer him an unconditional
apology for the treatment meted out to him, were not binding upon the Board. We therefore fault the
appellate court’s conclusion that CAJ’s recommendations were binding on the Board.

40. We agree with the Board’s submission and the High Court’s nding that under section 42(4) of the
CAJA, the remedy where there has been non-compliance with the recommendations of the CAJ, is for
the CAJ to prepare a report of the Board’s failure to implement the recommendations to the National
Assembly for appropriate action. CAJ ought to have explored the options set out in section 41 of
CAJA. Ultimately, we agree with the trial court’s nding that not even a court of law can dictate the

kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/209732/ 12
 manner in which a recommendation should be implemented. The only exception, as pointed by the
trial court, is where “there is gross abuse of discretion, manifest injustice or palpable excess of authority”
equivalent to denial of a settled right which the aggrieved party is entitled, and there is no other plain,
speedy and accurate remedy.” It is our nding that the circumstances of the appellant’s case do not t
the said exception.

41. Even where such exceptional circumstances are pleaded, who then bears the burden of proving abuse
of discretion? It is our opinion that where a party is so aggrieved by the exercise of discretion or lack of
it thereof, by a pubic oce of ocer or institution, it is for that party to prove that their case ts within
the four corners of the exception set above. In the instant appeal, we agree with the trial court that the
3rd Respondent did not discharge this burden of proof. Mere allegation that the Board declined to
comply with the CAJ’s recommendation is not enough to prove gross abuse of discretion, manifest
injustice or palpable excess authority.

42. We have observed that the question on the implementation of recommendations to public entities
from Commissions has been recurring in dierent cases before this court and other superior courts. As
such we are of the opinion that the following guiding principles ought to assist courts when considering
a matter concerning the binding nature of recommendations from Commissions or other public
bodies:

Guiding Principles on the recommendations from Commission to public bodies:

a. Any power to make a recommendation ought to be specically provided for

in the Constitution or in law;

b. Recommendations do not necessarily bind the person to whom, or entity to

which, it is addressed;

c. A recommendation from a Commission is only binding upon a public entity

where it has been specically provided for in the Constitution or in law;

d. The manner in which a recommendation is to be implemented by a Public

entity is discretionary;

e. Exercise of discretion in implementing a recommendation may only be

interfered where there is gross abuse of discretion, manifest injustice or
palpable excess of authority

f. Any recommendation by a Commission which is not implemented may be

reported to Parliament for any further action, if necessary;

43. We need to note at this juncture that Commissions are supposed to act as watchdogs and co-operate
and work with government arms. It is the duty of Parliament to implement reports from commissions
pursuant to article 254(1) of the Constitution and section 8 of the CAJA. Commissions therefore
cannot implement their own recommendations nor force a recommendation on a public body lest they
usurp the role of Parliament, which is the organ vested with the mandate to enforce implementation.
For avoidance of doubt, a public oce or body or state organ to whom a recommendation is made
need not appeal against such a recommendation for it not to be binding on it.

(ii) Whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to award damages?

44. The Court of Appeal allowed the 3rd respondent payment of twelve (12) months’ salary as
compensation in lieu of the one-year renewal of contract which the Board declined to accept; access to

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 the oce to collect personal eects, and an apology. Over and above that, the Court of Appeal awarded
the 3rd respondent a sum of Kshs 700,000.00 upon its nding that his right to fair administrative
action had been infringed by the Board.

45. The Board submits that CAJ did not have the mandate to award any relief to the 3rd respondent as
it had declined to renew his contract, a decision communicated to him by the Minister. The Board
faults the Court of Appeal for converting what was a normal Judicial Review Application into a
constitutional petition and proceeding to award damages instead of referring the matter back to the
High Court. The Board also urges that the dispute between the parties was whether the 3rd respondent
was entitled to the renewal of his employment and that the same ought to have been taken to the
Employment and Labour Relations Court. On the contrary, CAJ and the 3rd Respondent submit
that CAJ had the mandate to make the compensation and that the appellate court rightly to awarded
damages and compensation where none was made by the trial court.

46. Having found above that CAJ’s recommendations did not bind the Board, it is our ultimate nding
that there was no basis for the Court of Appeal to award compensation to the 3rd respondent.
Although CAJ has the requisite mandate to award compensation under section 8(c) of the CAJA,
(which section requires it to report to the National Assembly bi-annually on the complaints
investigated and the remedial action taken thereon), it is our nding that section 8 of the Act cannot
be read in isolation. It has to be read together with section 41 which provides for action taken by CAJ
after an inquiry. Section 41 provides as follows:

“ The Commission may, upon inquiry into a complaint under this Act take any of the
following steps—

a. where the inquiry discloses a criminal oence, refer the matter to the Director
of Public Prosecutions or any other relevant authority or undertake such
other action as the Commission may deem t against the concerned person or
persons;

b. recommend to the complainant a course of other judicial redress which does

not warrant an application under article 22 of the Constitution;

c. recommend to the complainant and to the relevant governmental agency or

other body concerned in the alleged violation, other appropriate methods of
settling the complaint or to obtain relief;

d. provide a copy of the inquiry report to all interested parties; and

e. submit summonses as it deems necessary in fullment of its mandate.”

47. In view of this, it is our nding that having concluded its investigation or inquiry on the 3rd
respondent’s claim, CAJ ought to either have referred the matter to the relevant authority (which in
our opinion includes the National Assembly); or recommended to the 3rd respondent a course of other
judicial redress; or recommend to the complainant appropriate methods of settling the complaint or
to obtain relief; provide a copy of the inquiry report to all interested parties (in our opinion including
the National Assembly) ; or submit summonses as it deems t to fulll its mandate.

48. Therefore, it is our nding that the because the dispute between the 3rd respondent and the Board
was an employer-employee dispute, CAJ ought to have recommended to the 3rd respondent the
appropriate method of settling the dispute. In our opinion, one of the methods would have been
seeking redress at the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) which is established to hear
and determine disputes relating to employment and labour relations and for connected purposes. The

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 ELRC has the power make appropriate remedies for the 3rd respondent pursuant to article 162(2) and
165(5) of the Constitution and section 12(3) of the Employment and Labour Relations Act including
interim preservation orders; prohibitory order; an order of specic performance; a declaratory order;
an award of compensation; an award of damages; an order of reinstatement among other.

49. CAJ cannot usurp the role of the ELRC over employment disputes and award compensation. CAJ,
under section 8(g) of the CAJA, can only recommend compensation or other appropriate remedies
against a person or bodies to which the Act applies. Having found elsewhere in this Judgement that
recommendations can only be binding where specically provided for, we conclude that CAJlacks
the requisite jurisdiction to award compensation in the circumstances. In other words, even if CAJ
recommends compensation after concluding its inquiry, there is an additional step or action to be taken
by the entity or person to whom the recommendation has been made. That entity or person may or
not implement the same depending on the manner on how they choose to exercise their discretion,
unless otherwise provided for in the law. Consequently, we set aside the reliefs awarded by the Court
of Appeal.

50. On costs, this court has previously settled the law on this issue, stating that costs follow the event in
the case of Jasbir Singh Rai & 3 others v Tarlochan Singh Rai & 4 others Petition No 4 of 2012; [2014]
eKLR and that a court has the discretion in awarding costs in its decision. This remains the law. In the
instant case, we award costs of this appeal to the Board.

51. Consequently, we allow the appeal.

D. Orders
52. Ultimately, upon our nding above, the nal orders are that:

1. The Petition of Appeal dated November 6, 2019 and led on November 7, 2019 be and is
hereby allowed.

2. The Judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting at Nairobi, dated September 27, 2019 is hereby
quashed and set aside.

3. For the avoidance of doubt, the Judgment of the High Court delivered on February 26, 2015,
be and is hereby upheld.

4. Costs of this Appeal to abide the appeal.

Orders accordingly.
DATED AND DELIVERED AT NAIROBI THIS 24TH DAY OF MARCH, 2021.
..............................
P. M. MWILU
Ag. CHIEF JUSTICE & Ag. PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT
..............................
M. K. IBRAHIM
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
..............................
S. C. WANJALA
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT

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..............................
NJOKI NDUNGU
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
..............................
I. LENAOLA
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
I certify that this is a true copy of the original
REGISTRAR,
SUPREME COURT OF KENYA

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