[2004] KEHC 1856 (KLR)
The court found that the appellant's plea of guilty was unequivocal as the record showed he understood the charge and facts, participated fully, and mitigated after conviction. The original sentence of 7 years imprisonment was deemed excessive given the appellant's status as a first offender and his personal...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2004] KEHC 1856 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Joseph Amenya Nyambane; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- ? 230 of 2003
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- conviction upheld, sentence varied
- Legal Topics
- Robbery With Violence, Plea of Guilty, Sentencing, Corporal Punishment
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Joseph Amenya Nyambane
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the appellant's plea of guilty was unequivocal and valid.
- 2 Whether the sentence imposed was harsh and excessive in the circumstances.
- 3 Whether the sentence of corporal punishment was lawful after legislative amendments.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the appellant's plea of guilty was unequivocal as the record showed he understood the charge and facts, participated fully, and mitigated after conviction. The original sentence of 7 years imprisonment was deemed excessive given the appellant's status as a first offender and his personal circumstances; thus, the sentence was reduced to 3 years imprisonment. The sentence of 4 strokes of the cane was set aside because the law abolishing corporal punishment came into effect after the appellant was sentenced, and the spirit of the law was to eliminate such punishment. The order for 5 years police supervision remained in force.
Court Disposition
conviction upheld, sentence varied
Orders
- Conviction for robbery with violence upheld.
- Sentence of 7 years imprisonment set aside and substituted with 3 years imprisonment.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISII CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.230 OF 2003
(From original conviction and sentence in Criminal Case No.1231 of 2003 of the Chief Magistrate’s Court at KISII. – S. M. S. SOITA ESQ., S.R.M)
JOSEPH AMENYA NYAMBANE ……………………………… APPELLANT VERSUS JOSEPH AMENYA NYAMBANE ……………………………… RESPONDENT.
JUDGMENT
Appellant was convicted for the offence of Robbery with violence c/s. 196 (1) Penal Code on his own plea. He was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment, 4 strokes of the cane and 5 years Police Supervision.
In his first ground of appeal he stated that the plea was not unequivocal. He further stated that 7 years was harsh and excessive.
The appellant pleaded guilty to the offence. Initially he was charged under S.296 (2) of the Penal Code. He pleaded not guilty. The complainant gave evidence. Later the charge was reduced to that of robbery c/s.196(1) Penal Code. Record shows the substituted charge was read to the appellant and he replied in Kisii language. The facts then were read to him and he said they were correct. He was then convicted and he went a head to mitigate.There is nothing to show that he did not understand what was going on he fully participated. During the hearing of the appeal he only complained of the long sentence. I therefore find that he properly pleaded to the offence and I uphold the conviction.
As to the sentence he was sentenced to 7 years. The offence of robbery is serious. However he was treated as a first offender. He is a family man of 52 years. 7 years is on the higher side in the circumstances. I will therefore set it aside and substitute it with one of 3 years imprisonment.
As for the four strokes of the cane when he was sentenced the Criminal Miscellanous Amendment Act had not come into effect and offence of robbery attracted corporal punishment. The Amendments came into effect after that and removed Corporal punishment. The spirit of the Act was to do away with all form of corporal punishment.
I therefore set aside sentence of 4 strokes. The order of 5 years police supervision stands.
It is so ordered.
KABURU BAUNI
JUDGE.
6/7/04
Dated and delivered on 6th July 2004.
Mr. Kemo for state. Appellant present.
KABURU BAUNI
JUDGE.
6/7/04