[2015] KEHC 3778 (KLR)
Although there is no direct evidence that the magistrates in Marsabit are not independent or impartial, the court recognized that justice must be seen to be done. The applicant's apprehension regarding the fairness of the trial, given the magistrates' prior involvement in related cases involving the applicant and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 3778 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Mulato Darche Gubo; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 9 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Transfer of Criminal Case
- Outcome
- Application allowed; case transferred.
- Judges
- RPV Wendoh
- Legal Topics
- Transfer of Criminal Cases, Fair Trial Rights, Judicial Impartiality
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Mulato Darche Gubo
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Transfer of Criminal Case
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether Criminal Case No. 586/2014 should be transferred from Marsabit to Isiolo due to apprehension of bias.
- 2 Whether the applicant's right to a fair and impartial trial is at risk if the case remains in Marsabit.
Ratio Decidendi
Although there is no direct evidence that the magistrates in Marsabit are not independent or impartial, the court recognized that justice must be seen to be done. The applicant's apprehension regarding the fairness of the trial, given the magistrates' prior involvement in related cases involving the applicant and his wife, was deemed reasonable. To uphold the integrity of the judicial process and public confidence in the administration of justice, the court exercised its discretion to transfer the case to Isiolo, the nearest court, to ensure the applicant's right to a fair and impartial hearing.
Court Disposition
Application allowed; case transferred.
Orders
- Criminal Case No. 586/2014 is transferred to Isiolo Chief Magistrate’s Court for hearing and determination.
- Mention of Criminal Case 586/2014 at Isiolo Chief Magistrate’s Court on 16/7/2015 for directions as to hearing.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MERU
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 9 OF 2015
MULATO DARCHE GUBO …………….…………..….. APPLICANT
V E R S U S
REPUBLIC …………….………………………..…… RESPONDENT
RULING
By the application dated 21/2/2015, Mulato Darche Gubo is seeking to have Marsabit Criminal Case 586/2014 transferred to Isiolo court for hearing and determination and accordingly, that the proceedings in Criminal case 586/2014 be stayed.
The applicant stated that the instant case Criminal Case No. 586/2014 is between him and his wife; and it is in regard to offence of misuse of telecommunication gadget/phone; that there are only two courts in Marsabit and the 2 magistrates have previously presided on Criminal Cases 160/2014, heard by Mr. Ombewa and Criminal Case No. 583/2014 heard by Mr. Wafula; that the 2 magistrates know about his family; that he was aggrieved by the judgments in Criminal Case No. 160/2014 REPUBLIC V DAHIR MULATO NDIBO AND AISHAHUSSEIN JUMAand 583/2014 REPUBLIC V DAHIR MULATO GUBOand he fears that he will not get a fair and impartial trial.
Mr. Musyoka, State Counsel, did not oppose the application.
I have read the decisions which have been determined by the two courts in Marsabit in Criminal Cases Nos. 160/2014 and 587/2014. The two determined cases and even the instant one involve the relationship between the applicant and his wife. The two determined cases were dismissed. The applicant is the complainant in the two determined cases; he is the accused and complainant is the wife in Criminal Case No. 586/2014. There is no evidence that the magistrates are not independent and will not be impartial. However, sometimes it is all about perception, how does an ordinary man look at it? The applicant is apprehensive that he may not get fair and impartial treatment before the two magistrates and justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
For that reason, I will agree with the applicant and allow the transfer of Criminal Case No. 586/2014 to Isiolo Chief Magistrate’s Court which is the nearest court to Marsabit, for hearing and determination. There will be a mention of Criminal Case 586/2014 at Isiolo Chief Magistrate’s court on 16/7/2015 for directions as to the hearing. Accused to appear in Isiolo Court on the said date.
It is so ordered.
DATED AND SIGNED AT MERU THIS 16TH DAY OF JUNE, 2015
R. P. V. WENDOH
JUDGE
PRESENT:
Mr. Mulochi for State
Mr. Omari Holding Brief for Ondari for Accused
Faith, Court Assistant
Accused, Present