A Nairobi lawyer has been awarded Ksh.114,616 after a court found that his three-piece suit was damaged while it was in the care of a dry-cleaning company.
Emmanuel Mumia sued Lorenzo Dry Cleaners Limited after discovering dark patches and loose threads on his navy suit following a cleaning service.
The Milimani Small Claims Court found that Mumia had proved his case on a balance of probabilities.
Suit returned with dark patches and loose threads
The suit was delivered to Lorenzo Dry Cleaners on March 16, 2026, and returned to Mumia’s home on March 23.
At the time the garments were received, the company’s intake record described them as having “ordinary dirt and lint”. It did not record any discolouration or other damage.
Mumia later noticed three dark patches on the jacket, as well as loose threads on the right sleeve.
He told the court that he had not worn the suit after it was returned. The dry-cleaning tags were also still attached when he discovered the damage.
The complaint was made on June 26, about three months after the suit had been returned.
Mumia’s wife contacted the company through WhatsApp to report the problem. The company apologised, collected the jacket and said it was “trying to work on it”.
It later declined to compensate him.
Court rejects dry cleaner’s defence
Magistrate J.M. Kiliku said the company’s response was relevant to the case, although it did not by itself prove that the dry cleaner had caused the damage.
The court also noted that Lorenzo Dry Cleaners had not presented technical evidence showing that the discolouration resulted from a defect in the fabric or occurred after the suit left the company’s custody.
After considering the evidence, the court concluded that it was more likely than not that the damage occurred while the suit was with the dry cleaner.
The company had argued that its terms and conditions required customers to report complaints within 24 hours of delivery.
The court accepted that the terms were part of the agreement because they had been provided to Mumia during the transaction.
But the magistrate found that the clause on discolouration did not automatically protect the company from liability.
The clause applied where damage resulted from the properties of the fabric or a hidden defect. Lorenzo Dry Cleaners had not proved either explanation.
The court also ruled that the 24-hour reporting requirement did not establish when the damage occurred. It therefore did not release the company from responsibility after the court found that the suit had been damaged while in its custody.
Lawyer awarded Ksh.114,616
Mumia had initially sought Ksh.183,826.66, which he said was the value of the suit.
He presented a Moss Bros receipt showing a total of £1,064.95 for several garments and a suit carrier.
The court, however, found that only the striped jacket, waistcoat and trousers could be linked to the damaged suit. Their combined value was £659.
The court also considered the £5 suit carrier attributed to the outfit but ultimately entered judgement for £659, equivalent to Ksh.114,616.36.
The magistrate declined to award the full amount claimed because Mumia had not established the value of the other items listed on the receipt.
Lorenzo Dry Cleaners was ordered to pay interest on the Ksh.114,616.36 at 12 per cent a year, starting July 13, 2026, when Mumia formally demanded compensation, until the amount is paid in full.
The company was also ordered to pay Ksh.20,000 in legal costs.
Execution of the judgement was stayed for 30 days.
About the Author
