[2024] KEHC 6843 (KLR)
The court held that the application for review of sentence was not merited because a similar application had already been determined and dismissed by the court in a previous ruling. The principle of finality of litigation prevents the court from entertaining a second application for review of sentence on the same...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 6843 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Paul Makusanya; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Voi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application E032 of 2023
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Review of Sentence
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- GMA Dulu
- Legal Topics
- Sentence Review, Probation Orders, Prison Decongestion, Constitutional Rights, Repeat Applications
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Paul Makusanya
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Review of Sentence
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to a review of his prison sentence to a probation order.
- 2 Whether the court can entertain a second application for review of sentence after a similar application was previously dismissed.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the application for review of sentence was not merited because a similar application had already been determined and dismissed by the court in a previous ruling. The principle of finality of litigation prevents the court from entertaining a second application for review of sentence on the same grounds unless brought under special circumstances such as general prison decongestion or Community Service Orders. The applicant retains the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal if dissatisfied with the High Court's decision.
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application for review of sentence is dismissed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
Makusanya v Republic (Miscellaneous Criminal Application E032 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 6843 (KLR) (30 May 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 6843 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Voi
Miscellaneous Criminal Application E032 of 2023
GMA Dulu, J
May 30, 2024
Between
Paul Makusanya
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. Before me is a request for review of sentence brought through an application filed on August 30, 2023.
2. The application is based on the provisions of article 50(2)(p) of the Constitution that an accused person should have the benefit of the least severe sentence prescribed by the law, and the case of Jonah & 87 others v Kenya Prison services & 2 others – Petition No. 15 of 2020 (2021) KEHC.
3. In the application, the applicant seeks that his prison sentence be reviewed to a probation order.
4. The application was canvassed through written submissions. In this regard, I have perused and considered the submissions filed by the applicant as well as the submissions filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions. I note that the Director of Public Prosecutions has opposed the request for review of sentence.
5. Having considered the application and rival arguments, in my view, this application is not merited, as an earlier similar application for review of sentence was determined by this court in a ruling delivered by Dorah Chepkwony J. on July 8, 2021 and the request for review of sentence was dismissed.
6. In my view therefore, unless a request for reconsideration of the sentence is brought to court under the general prison decongestion or Community Service Orders scenario, this court cannot again review the sentence herein.
7. I will add that, as was stated by this court in its ruling dated July 8, 2021, the applicant may still appeal to the Court of Appeal if dissatisfied with the decision of this court.
8. To conclude, I find no merits in this second application for review of sentence. The application is thus hereby dismissed.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED THIS 30TH DAY OF MAY 2024 IN OPEN COURT AT VOI.GEORGE DULU......................................JUDGEI certify that this is a true copy of the originalSignedDEPUTY REGISTRARIn the presence of:-Alfred/Trizah – Court AssistantsApplicant in personMr. Sirima for State