[2022] KEHC 2875 (KLR)
The court held that the two-year custodial sentence imposed by the trial court was not excessive given the prevalence of narcotic drug offences in the area and the quantity of drugs found in the appellant's possession. The trial court had considered the appellant's mitigation, including his guilty plea and personal...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 2875 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: John Nzungi Muema; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Makueni
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal E050 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed; sentence upheld
- Judges
- GMA Dulu
- Legal Topics
- Sentencing Principles, Narcotic Drugs Offences, Mitigation, Appeal on Sentence
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
John Nzungi Muema
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the sentence of two years imprisonment for possession of narcotic drugs was excessive.
- 2 Whether mitigating factors warranted a non-custodial sentence.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the two-year custodial sentence imposed by the trial court was not excessive given the prevalence of narcotic drug offences in the area and the quantity of drugs found in the appellant's possession. The trial court had considered the appellant's mitigation, including his guilty plea and personal circumstances. The appellate court found no reason to interfere with the sentence, emphasizing the need for deterrence in such cases and noting the appellant's eligibility for remission for good behavior.
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed; sentence upheld
Orders
- The appeal on sentence is dismissed.
- The sentence of two years imprisonment imposed by the trial court is upheld.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MAKUENI
HCCRA NO. E050 OF 2021
JOHN NZUNGI MUEMA.......APPELLANT
-VERSUS-
REPUBLIC.............................RESPONDENT
(Being an appeal from the original sentence of Hon. Sagero SRM in Makueni Chief Magistrate’s Court CMCR Case No.E137 of 2021 pronounced on 20th May, 2021).
JUDGMENT
1. The appellant was charged in the magistrates’ court with possession of narcotic drugs contrary to section 3(1) as read with section 3(2) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1994.
2. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was thus convicted and sentenced to serve 2 years imprisonment.
3. He has now come to this court on appeal on sentence only, asking this court to consider mitigating factors. He asks for non-custodial sentence, and the learned Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Tanui left the matter to the court to decide.
4. Sentencing is a discretionary power exercised by trial courts. In the present case, the appellant was found with 28 rolls of bhang. He pleaded guilty and in mitigation asked the trial court for forgiveness saying that he had young children to take care of.
5. I note that the trial court took into account the mitigation of the appellant in sentencing, and sentenced him on 20th May 2021 to two (2) years imprisonment. It is now almost one year since he was sentenced.
6. In my view, the sentence of 2 years imprisonment for the offence is not excessive taking into account the prevalence of the offence in this area and the fact that he was found with 28 rolls of bhang, which means that he was a peddler of the drugs. In declining to review the sentence, I am sure he will be eligible for remission for good behavior by the prison authorities. The sentence is deterrence to other would be offenders.
7. I dismiss the appeal on sentence and uphold the sentence pronounced by the trial court.
DELIVERED, SIGNED & DATED THIS 25TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2022, IN OPEN COURT AT MAKUENI.
………………………………….
GEORGE DULU
JUDGE