[2021] KEHC 5523 (KLR)
The court found that while the trial magistrate did not err in imposing a custodial sentence for the offence of preparation to commit a felony, the applicant had demonstrated genuine remorse and rehabilitation during his incarceration. The complainant had forgiven the applicant, and the probation report was...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 5523 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Denis Omondi; Applicant: Samathan Rodgers Boiyo; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kitale
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Revision Case Revision59 (E24) of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Revision / Ruling on Application for Revision of Sentence
- Outcome
- custodial sentence commuted to period served; applicant released
- Judges
- LK Kimaru
- Legal Topics
- Sentencing Revision, Preparation to Commit Felony, Plea of Guilty, Judicial Discretion, Probation Report, Remorse and Rehabilitation
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Denis Omondi
Applicant
Samathan Rodgers Boiyo
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Revision / Ruling on Application for Revision of Sentence
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sentence imposed on the applicant was harsh or excessive to warrant revision by the High Court.
- 2 Whether the applicant's remorse, rehabilitation, and the positive probation report justify commuting the custodial sentence.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that while the trial magistrate did not err in imposing a custodial sentence for the offence of preparation to commit a felony, the applicant had demonstrated genuine remorse and rehabilitation during his incarceration. The complainant had forgiven the applicant, and the probation report was positive. In view of these new circumstances, the court exercised its discretion to commute the custodial sentence to the period already served, finding that continued imprisonment would not serve the interests of justice.
Court Disposition
custodial sentence commuted to period served; applicant released
Orders
- The custodial sentence imposed on the applicant is commuted to the period served.
- The applicant is ordered to be set at liberty forthwith and released from prison unless otherwise lawfully held.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
16 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KITALE
REVISION NO. 59 (E24) OF 2021
DENIS OMONDI......................................................................1ST APPLICANT
SAMATHAN RODGERS BOIYO.........................................2ND APPLICANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC..................................................................................RESPONDENT
RULING
The Applicant Dennis Omondi was charged with the offence of Preparation to Commit a Felonycontrary to Section 308(3) ( c) of the Penal Code.The Particulars of the offence were that on 28th November 2020at Ronak Agrovet Stores, Kitale Township, the Applicant, jointly with others not before court, was found in the Store of Kishan Meisuria by the day with intent to commit a felony therein, to wit, theft, having removed wall iron sheets. When the Applicant was arraigned before the trial Magistrate’s court, he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was convicted on his own plea of guilty and sentenced to serve one (1) year imprisonment.
He has applied to this court for a revision of his sentence. He told the court that he was remorseful and had had learnt his lesson. He now realises that crime does not pay. In the period of approximately seven (7) months that he has been in prison, he had been reformed and was ready to return back to the Society. Mr Nderitu for the State was not opposed to the court exercising its discretion appropriately provided a Probation report was called for. This court duly obliged on the request and ordered such a report to be prepared. The same was prepared and handed to the court.
When the trial Magistrate sentenced the Applicant, it was exercising judicial discretion. This court can only interfere with such discretion. If it is established that the sentence meted on the Applicant was either too harsh or too lenient as to constitute an affront to the precepts of justice. In the present application, it was clear to the court that the trial Magistrate did not err when sentencing the Applicant to serve the custodial sentence. However, the Applicant has had time to reflect on his life. He has realised that what he did was both legally and morally wrong. He is remorseful and asks the court to forgive him. The Complainant, when interviewed by the Probation Officer, said that he had forgiven the Applicant. That being the case, and the fact that the Probation report is, in the whole, positive, this court shall consider positively the Applicant’s request for revision of sentence.
In the premises therefore, the custodial sentence imposed on the Applicant is commuted to the period served. He is ordered set at liberty forthwith and released from prison unless otherwise lawfully held. It is so ordered.
DATED at KITALE this 6th day of JULY, 2021.
L. KIMARU
JUDGE