[2018] KEHC 7940 (KLR)
The court found that the order requiring the applicant to submit to DNA sampling was lawful and within the discretion of the trial magistrate under Section 36(1) of the Sexual Offences Act. The court held that such an order does not amount to intimidation or a violation of constitutional rights, nor does it...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 7940 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Moses Musya; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kitui
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Revision 8 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Revision / Order on Revision
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Sexual Offences Act, Dna Sampling, Constitutional Rights, Forensic Evidence
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Moses Musya
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Revision / Order on Revision
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the order requiring the accused to submit to DNA sampling under Section 36(1) of the Sexual Offences Act violates his constitutional rights.
- 2 Whether the trial magistrate's order amounted to assisting the prosecution in investigations.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the order requiring the applicant to submit to DNA sampling was lawful and within the discretion of the trial magistrate under Section 36(1) of the Sexual Offences Act. The court held that such an order does not amount to intimidation or a violation of constitutional rights, nor does it constitute improper assistance to the prosecution. The court relied on statutory authority and binding precedent to conclude that DNA sampling in sexual offence cases is permissible and does not infringe on the accused's right to a fair trial. The application for revision was therefore declined, and the applicant was directed to comply with the DNA sampling order.
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The file shall be placed before Hon. G. W. Kirugumi Senior Resident Magistrate, Mwingi on 12th February, 2018 for further hearing.
- The applicant/accused shall submit himself for purposes of DNA sampling on a date and place to be directed by the judicial officer.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KITUI
CRIMINAL REVISION CASE NO. 8 OF 2017
MOSES MUSYA.............................................APPLICANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC................................................RESPONDENT
ORDER ON REVISION
1. By a letter dated 13th September, 2017, Messrs Mulinga Mbaluka & Co. Advocateseek revision of an order by Hon. G. W. Kirugumi Senior Resident Magistrate, Mwingi.On the 26thday of May, 2017the learned Magistrate made an order pursuant to the provisions of Section 36of the Sexual Offences Actdirecting the Applicant/Accused person to submit himself to the Government Chemist for purposes of obtaining samples for DNA sampling.
2. The Accused was aggrieved by the order on grounds that can be condensed thus:
i. By making such an order the trial Magistrate appeared to be assisting the Prosecution to conduct investigations in the matter.
ii. The order made was an act intended to intimidate the Accused and it amounts to violation of his constitutional rights.
He sought an order setting aside the order so that the matter can proceed without him being subjected to an embarrassment.
3. Section 36(1)of the Sexual Offences Actprovides thus:
“(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of section 26 of this Act or any other law, where a person is charged with committing an offence under this Act, the court may direct that an appropriate sample or samples be taken from the accused person, at such place and subject to such conditions as the court may direct for the purpose of forensic and other scientific testing, including a DNA test, in order to gather evidence and to ascertain whether or not the accused person committed an offence.”
4. In the case of Boniface Kyalo Mwololo vs. Republic Misc. Criminal Application No. 69 of 2015 (2016) eKLR Kamuru, Jstated thus:
“Section 36(1) of the Sexual Offences Act does not give an accused person the option of refusing to provide his DNA Sample. The DNA Sample can be provided at any time during trial before the Accused has been put on his defence…… This court holds that when an accused person in a sexual offence is required to provide his DNA Sample it is not a breach of his constitutional right to a fair trial.”
5. The same Applicant moved to the Court of Appeal challenging the constitutionality of the order that he be subjected to DNA sampling in Criminal Application Nai 1 of 2016 (Boniface Kyalo Mwololo vs. Republic (2016) eKLR).In dismissing the application the Court was of the view that Section 36(1)of the Sexual Offences Actshould be read together with Article 53(2)of the Constitutionwhere the best interest of the child should be of paramount consideration.
6. Having carefully considered the record of the Lower Court and the submission of the Applicant’s Counsel in his letter aforestated, I find that the order of the learned trial Magistrate was in accordance with the law. It is not intended to intimidate the Applicant/Accused. She acted per the discretion bestowed upon her which cannot be viewed as assisting the Prosecution to investigate the case.
7. In the premises I decline to grant the order sought and direct as follows:
i. The file shall be placed before Hon. G. W. Kirugumi Senior Resident Magistrate, Mwingion the 12th February, 2018for further hearing.
ii. The Applicant/Accused shall submit himself for purposes of DNA Sampling on a date and a place to be directed by the Judicial Officer.
8. It is so ordered.
Dated, Signedand Deliveredat Kituithis 1stday of February,2018.
L. N. MUTENDE
JUDGE