[2018] KEHC 1509 (KLR)
The court found that the appellant's grounds of appeal did not challenge the conviction or sentence on legal or factual grounds but were instead pleas for leniency and mitigation. As such, there was no valid appeal before the court. The court held that it was not required to review the conviction or sentence in the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 1509 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: David Akhwale Malala; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kakamega
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 57 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed
- Judges
- DN Musyoka
- Legal Topics
- Defilement, Sentencing, Sexual Offences, Appeal Dismissal
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
David Akhwale Malala
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the grounds raised by the appellant constitute a valid appeal against conviction and sentence.
- 2 Whether the sentence imposed by the trial court should be interfered with on appeal.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the appellant's grounds of appeal did not challenge the conviction or sentence on legal or factual grounds but were instead pleas for leniency and mitigation. As such, there was no valid appeal before the court. The court held that it was not required to review the conviction or sentence in the absence of substantive grounds and dismissed the appeal, advising the appellant to consider seeking relief under the Community Service Orders Act if appropriate.
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed
Orders
- The appeal is dismissed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
14 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KAKAMEGA
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 57 OF 2017
(From Original Conviction and Sentence in Criminal Case No. 787 of 2007 of the Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court at Mumias)
DAVID AKHWALE MALALA.......APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC....................................RESPONDENT
JUDGEMENT
1. The appellant was convicted by Hon. EK Makori, Acting Principal Magistrate (Ag PM), Mumias, of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006, and was accordingly sentenced to twenty (20) years imprisonment. He had also been charged with an alternative charge of indecent assault. The appellant pleaded not guilty to the charges before the trial court, whereupon the primary court had to conduct a trial. The prosecution called eight (8) witnesses. After reviewing the evidence, the trial court convicted appellant of the main charge of defilement contrary to Section 8(1) of the Sexual Offences Act, and sentenced him accordingly.
2. The appellant being dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence has appealed to this court and raised several grounds of appeal. I have perused through the grounds listed. I note that the appellant does not attack the judgement and does not invite the court to review the evidence and overturn the outcome. His grounds amount a plea to mitigation of sentence. He pleads for leniency and for reduction of sentence, says that his health has deteriorated during incarceration and asks the court to consider giving him a non-custodial sentence. He says that he is remorseful, has reformed and has undergone spiritual transformation, and has acquired knowledge and skills that would make him a useful member of the community.
3. There is clearly no appeal before me. I need not therefore task my mind considering whether or not I ought to interfere with the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial court. The matters raised by the appellant are not suitable for appeal. He should perhaps consider taking advantage of the provisions of the Community Service Orders Act No. 10 of 1998. I need not say more. The appeal herein is dismissed for the reasons stated.
DELIVERED, DATED AND SIGNED IN OPEN COURT AT KAKAMEGA THIS 24TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2018
W MUSYOKA
JUDGE