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Court of AppealAllowedCivil Application E007 of 2026· [2026] KECA 2036 (KLR)
Machuma v Kalikania
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·~1 min to read original · ~4 min briefThe bottom line
#Kenya's Court of Appeal let a lawyer stop representing a client who disappeared and stopped giving instructions, confirming advocates can exit appeals under Rule 23(2).
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#This is a short single-judge ruling of the Court of Appeal at Kakamega delivered by Radido, JA on 19th June 2026. E. O. Kweyu & Co. Advocates, the firm on record for the respondent John Wafula Kalikania, moved the Court by Motion dated 4th May 2026 seeking leave to cease or withdraw from acting for him. The firm explained that the respondent had neither visited its offices nor communicated to give further instructions since the Environment and Land Court at Bungoma (Cherono, J) delivered judgment in Bungoma ELC Appeal No. E033 of 2022 on 23rd May 2025, and that all efforts to trace the respondent had failed. Although the applicant cited no specific rule, the court identified Rule 23(2) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022 as the applicable provision, under which a single judge may grant an advocate leave to cease acting, with the advocate deemed to have ceased upon service on the party of a certified copy of the order granting leave. The judge granted leave, directed service of a certified copy of the order on all concerned parties, and made no order as to costs beyond 'costs in the cause'. The ruling does not disturb the decision below and establishes no new precedent beyond confirming the operation of Rule 23(2).
Key legal issues
#01
Leave to cease acting for a party
Holding
Leave granted where the party had not communicated or given instructions since the judgment below and could not be traced.
Reasoning
The advocate applied under Rule 23(2) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022, which permits a single judge to grant such leave. The respondent had not visited the offices or communicated since the ELC judgment of 23rd May 2025, and efforts to trace him had failed. Leave was granted with directions to serve the certified order.
Legal principles established
#- Rule 23(2) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022 empowers a single judge to grant an advocate leave to cease acting, with the advocate deemed to have ceased upon service of a certified copy of the order.
Court orders
#- 1.Leave granted to the advocate to cease acting for the Respondent
- 2.Advocate directed to serve a certified copy of the order on all concerned parties
- 3.Costs in the cause
- On appeal from
- Environment and Land Court, Bungoma
- Bungoma Environment and Land Court Appeal E033 of 2022
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Rule 23(2) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2022 (application to a single judge for leave to cease acting)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Machuma v Kalikania", Case Analysis (2026). Civil Application E007 of 2026. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keca/2026/2036/eng@2026-06-19
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.