[2023] KEHC 22117 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant had demonstrated remorse and reformation, as evidenced by the Probation Officer's report and the lack of objection from the area chief. Given the ongoing Prisons Decongestion Exercise and the applicant's willingness to serve a non-custodial sentence, the court exercised its...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEHC 22117 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Sammy Cheruiyot; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Revision Case E068 of 2023
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Revision / Ruling on Sentence Review
- Outcome
- Sentence revised; applicant released from prison and placed on community service for the remainder of his sentence.
- Judges
- HM Nyaga
- Legal Topics
- Sentence Review, Possession of Noncompliant Alcohol, Alcoholic Drinks Act, Prison Decongestion
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Sammy Cheruiyot
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Revision / Ruling on Sentence Review
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant's sentence should be revised in light of the Prisons Decongestion Exercise.
- 2 Whether the applicant is suitable for a non-custodial sentence based on the Probation Officer's report.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant had demonstrated remorse and reformation, as evidenced by the Probation Officer's report and the lack of objection from the area chief. Given the ongoing Prisons Decongestion Exercise and the applicant's willingness to serve a non-custodial sentence, the court exercised its discretion to revise the sentence. The applicant was ordered to be released from prison and placed on community service for the remainder of his sentence, as this would serve the interests of justice and public policy by promoting rehabilitation and reducing prison overcrowding.
Court Disposition
Sentence revised; applicant released from prison and placed on community service for the remainder of his sentence.
Orders
- The applicant is released from prison forthwith.
- The applicant is to serve the remainder of his sentence on community service at Kipsirchet Chief’s Office under supervision.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
Cheruiyot v Republic (Revision Case E068 of 2023) [2023] KEHC 22117 (KLR) (22 August 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEHC 22117 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nakuru
Revision Case E068 of 2023
HM Nyaga, J
August 22, 2023
Between
Sammy Cheruiyot
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. This matter has been brought to me under the Prisons Decongestion Exercise being undertaken by this court.
2. The Applicant Sammy Cheruiyot was convicted for the offence of Being in Possession of Alcoholic Drinks That Do Not Conform with The Requirements of the Alcoholic Drinks Actcontrary to Section 27 (4) of theAlcoholic Drinks Act No 4 of 2010 and sentenced to serve 2 years’ imprisonment on February 9, 2023.
3. He has so far served about 6 months in prison.
4. In the Sentence Review Report filed on August 2, 2023 the Probation Officer, Newton Majale recommends community service.
5. According to the said Report the convict is a primary school dropout and engaged in farming prior to his arrest. He is married with four children and intends to go back home and live with his family who will help him settle down. He committed the offence due to hard economic times. He enjoyed a good relationship with his family and has continued to communicate with them during his sentence via phone calls. The area chief, who is the complainant on behalf of the state believes the inmate has reformed and has no obligation to his release on a non- custodial sentence. The Applicant is remorseful and is willing to serve a non- custodial sentence.
6. I am satisfied that there are signs that the convict has reformed.
7. In light of the above and with the view to decongest the prison, I hereby exercise judicial discretion and order the Convict/Applicant be released from prison forthwith and be placed on Community Service at Kipsirchet Chief’s Office under the supervision of the office in charge for the remainder of his sentence.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NAKURU ON 22ND AUGUST 2023. H.M. NYAGAJUDGEIn the presence of:Ms Murunga for stateApplicant