[2018] KECA 631 (KLR)

[2018] KECA 631 (KLR)

The Court of Appeal held that the Director of Public Prosecutions acted within the constitutional and statutory mandate in declining to prosecute Royal Media Services Limited for alleged use of unauthorized frequencies. The DPP's discretion under Article 157 of the Constitution is broad but must be exercised with...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2018] KECA 631 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Communications Commission of Kenya; Respondent: Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Respondent: Royal Media Services Limited
Court
Court of Appeal
Court Station
Court of Appeal at Nairobi
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Civil Appeal 370 of 2014
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed.
Judges
DK Musinga
Legal Topics
Prosecutorial Discretion, Judicial Review, Broadcasting Regulation, Legitimate Expectation, Public Interest Test, Evidential Threshold
Source Language
en
Administrative Law Constitutional Law Telecoms and Media Prosecutorial Discretion Judicial Review Broadcasting Regulation Legitimate Expectation Public Interest Test +1 more

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Communications Commission of Kenya

Appellant

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Respondent

Royal Media Services Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Director of Public Prosecutions acted ultra vires in declining to prosecute the 2nd respondent for use of unauthorized frequencies.
  2. 2 Whether the DPP applied the correct legal and evidential test in deciding not to prosecute.
  3. 3 Whether the DPP's decision was unreasonable, irrational, or a fundamental error of law.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that the Director of Public Prosecutions acted within the constitutional and statutory mandate in declining to prosecute Royal Media Services Limited for alleged use of unauthorized frequencies. The DPP's discretion under Article 157 of the Constitution is broad but must be exercised with regard to public interest, the interests of justice, and the need to prevent abuse of process. The DPP reviewed the investigation file and, applying the evidential test as set out in the National Prosecution Policy, determined that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. The court found no evidence that the DPP acted ultra vires,...

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed.

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed in its entirety.
  • Each party shall bear their own costs.