[2023] KEHC 20176 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant was irregularly convicted and sentenced twice for the same offence, which is contrary to the law and principles of justice. The second conviction and sentence imposed on June 9, 2022, were illegal and prejudicial to the applicant. The court exercised its revisionary jurisdiction to...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEHC 20176 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Peter Kiarie Maina; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Revision Case E530 of 2022
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Revision / Ruling
- Outcome
- sentence set aside and substituted; applicant to be released unless held on another charge
- Judges
- SM Mohochi
- Legal Topics
- Wildlife Offences, Sentencing Irregularity, Protected Areas, Double Jeopardy
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Peter Kiarie Maina
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Revision / Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant was irregularly convicted and sentenced twice for the same offence.
- 2 Whether the sentencing on June 9, 2022 was illegal and should be set aside.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant was irregularly convicted and sentenced twice for the same offence, which is contrary to the law and principles of justice. The second conviction and sentence imposed on June 9, 2022, were illegal and prejudicial to the applicant. The court exercised its revisionary jurisdiction to set aside the illegal sentence and substitute it with a lawful sentence, imposing a fine of Kshs 50,000 on each count, with a default sentence of eight months' imprisonment for each count, to run concurrently from December 20, 2021. The court further ordered the applicant's immediate release unless lawfully held on another charge, having served the full sentence.
Court Disposition
sentence set aside and substituted; applicant to be released unless held on another charge
Orders
- The sentence imposed on June 9, 2022 is set aside as irregular and illegal.
- The applicant is convicted and sentenced to a fine of Kshs 50,000 on each count; in default, to serve eight months' imprisonment on each count, sentences to run concurrently from December 20, 2021.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
Maina v Republic (Revision Case E530 of 2022) [2023] KEHC 20176 (KLR) (11 July 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEHC 20176 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nakuru
Revision Case E530 of 2022
SM Mohochi, J
July 11, 2023
Between
Peter Kiarie Maina
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. The applicant was arraigned and charged with 2 counts of (1) entering a protected area without a permit contrary to section 102 (1) (a) as read together with section 105 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013 on the December 21, 2021.
2. The applicant pleaded guilty to count 1, he was convicted, he mitigated and the court fined him Kshs 50,000/=, upon default to serve imprisonment of 8 months.
3. The applicant pleaded not guilty to the 2nd count of conveying of/or possession of a trap into a protected area. Applicant was admitted to bail to await trial.
4. On the May 19, 2022, the applicant changed his plea, to that of guilty in relation to the 2nd count on the charge sheet.Facts were provided including the exhibits recovered.The appellant was now convicted for both counts.
5. A pre-sentencing report was ordered for and the matter came up for sentencing on June 9, 2022 whereby the court proceeded to sentence the applicant to 2 years’ imprisonment for each count, the sentences running concurrently.
6. The court finds the conviction on May 19, 2022 on an offence that the applicant had been convicted and sentenced to be in error, prejudicing the appellant.
7. The sentence thus pronounced on the June 9, 2022 was irregular and illegal and is accordingly set aside.This court substitutes the sentence set aside as follows: - The applicant is convicted and sentenced to a fine of Kshs 50,000 on each of the counts and upon default he shall serve an imprisonment of eight (8) months on count 1 and eight (8) months on count 2 both sentences shall run concurrently from December 20, 2021.
8. That unless lawfully held on another charge the applicant shall forthwith be released on account of serving his full imprisonment sentence.
It is so ordered.
SIGNED, DATED and DELIVERED in open Court at Nakuru onthis 11th July 2023________________________Mohochi S.MJUDGEIn the presence of: -Court Assistant – ScholaState Counsel – Ms. MburuREV. 530 OF 2022 – RULING Page 2 of 2