[2008] KEHC 4026 (KLR)
The High Court found that although the trial court had properly exercised its discretion in granting bail, the terms imposed were too onerous for the applicant to meet, effectively denying him the benefit of bail. The court held that bail terms must be reasonable and attainable, and that the applicant's inability to...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2008] KEHC 4026 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Basileo Mwiandi Miriti alias James Kasyula Mutua; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application 203 of 2008
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application to Vary Bail Terms
- Outcome
- application allowed; bond terms varied
- Judges
- JB Ojwang
- Legal Topics
- Bail Variation, Bond Terms, Pretrial Release
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Basileo Mwiandi Miriti alias James Kasyula Mutua
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application to Vary Bail Terms
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the bond terms imposed by the trial court were excessive and unattainable by the applicant.
- 2 Whether the High Court should vary the bond terms to ensure the applicant's right to pretrial liberty is meaningful.
Ratio Decidendi
The High Court found that although the trial court had properly exercised its discretion in granting bail, the terms imposed were too onerous for the applicant to meet, effectively denying him the benefit of bail. The court held that bail terms must be reasonable and attainable, and that the applicant's inability to meet the cash bail justified a variation. The court exercised its power under section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code to set aside the previous bond order and substitute it with more reasonable terms, ensuring the applicant's right to pretrial liberty was preserved while still securing his attendance at trial.
Court Disposition
application allowed; bond terms varied
Orders
- The applicant may be released on a cash bail of Kshs.200,000 during the pendency of trial.
- Alternatively, the applicant may be released on own bond supported by a security of title to property acceptable to the court, valued at not less than Kshs.400,000.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLICOF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CRIMINAL DIVISION
(Coram: Ojwang, J)
MISC. CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 203 OF 2008
BETWEEN
BASILEO MWIANDI MIRITI alias
JAMES KASYULA MUTUA…..……………..APPLICANT
-AND-
REPUBLIC………………………..……….RESPONDENT
RULING
The applicant is currently undergoing trial for the offence, inter alia, of making a false document contrary to s.347 as read with s.349 of the Penal Code. During the pendency of trial, the applicant has been given bond terms in the form of a cash bail of Kshs.500,000/=, which sum he has been unable to pay, and as a consequence of which he remains in custody.
The applicant, represented by his advocates, M/s. J.W. Wanjohi & Co. Advocates, comes before this Court by Notice of Motion dated 11th April, 2008 and prays that the said cash bail, ordered by the Senior Principal Magistrate, be reduced to reasonable terms.
Upon hearing counsel on both sides, it has become clear to me that the applicant is not in a position to meet the bail terms ordered by the trial Court. `
In this Court, it may quite properly be supposed that the trial Court had sensed that this was a matter in which release of the applicant on bond was not inappropriate. But the terms of bond then granted, it is clear, are too burdensome for the applicant to meet – with the consequence that he will not benefit from the bond granted. Learned counsel Mr. Wanjohi submits that this is a case in which the freedom to be tried while at liberty had been granted but also refused, at the same time.
Learned Respondent’s counsel, Mr. Makura does not object to a variation of the bond terms, and urges that this Court, by virtue of s.123 of the CPC may make any such variation of bond terms as may be found appropriate.
All these circumstances show a case in which a variation of bond terms will be in order; and I will now set aside the bond-term order of the trial Court, and replace the same with the following orders –
The applicant may be released, during the pendency of trial, on a cash bail of Kshs.200,000/=;
In the alternative, the applicant may be released, during the pendency of the trial, on an own bond, supported by a security of a title to property acceptable to the Court, bearing a value of not less than Kshs.400,000/=; such property may be a motor vehicle or similar asset, with valid documents of title.
This matter shall be listed for mention before the Deputy Registrar on 7th May, 2008.
Orders accordingly.
DATED and DELIVERED at Nairobi this 5th day of May, 2008.
J.B. OJWANG
JUDGE