[2024] KEHC 2810 (KLR)
The court found that the imposition of a mandatory life sentence for robbery with violence is unconstitutional, following the Court of Appeal's decision in Julius Kitsao Manyeso v Republic. The court also considered the applicant's mitigation, positive conduct in prison, and the recommendation of the probation...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 2810 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Brighton Juma Mwashigadi; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application E114 of 2023
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Sentence Review Ruling
- Outcome
- application allowed in part; sentence reviewed
- Judges
- A. Ong’injo
- Legal Topics
- Robbery With Violence, Sentencing Review, Mandatory Sentences, Remand Period Credit
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Brighton Juma Mwashigadi
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Sentence Review Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant's sentence of life imprisonment should be reviewed in light of constitutional and statutory developments.
- 2 Whether the period spent in remand should be factored into the applicant's sentence.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the imposition of a mandatory life sentence for robbery with violence is unconstitutional, following the Court of Appeal's decision in Julius Kitsao Manyeso v Republic. The court also considered the applicant's mitigation, positive conduct in prison, and the recommendation of the probation officer. In accordance with Section 333(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the court held that the period spent in remand must be credited towards the sentence. Consequently, the life sentence was set aside and substituted with a determinate term of 30 years imprisonment, effective from the applicant's initial date of remand.
Court Disposition
application allowed in part; sentence reviewed
Orders
- The sentence of life imprisonment is set aside.
- The applicant is sentenced to 30 years imprisonment to take effect from 9th December 2011 pursuant to Section 333(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Mwashigadi v Republic (Miscellaneous Criminal Application E114 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 2810 (KLR) (15 March 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 2810 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Mombasa
Miscellaneous Criminal Application E114 of 2023
A. Ong’injo, J
March 15, 2024
Between
Brighton Juma Mwashigadi
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. The applicant Brighton Juma Mwashigadi was charged and convicted for the offence of robbery with violence in Mombasa CMC Cr. C. No. 3789 of 2011. He was sentenced to suffer death which was later commuted to life imprisonment. Hearing of the applicant’s appeal in Mombasa H. C. Cr. A. No. 73 of 2014 did not proceed because the lower court file could not be traced.
2. The applicant withdrew the appeal in Mombasa H. C. Cr. A. No. 73 of 2014 to pursue the application herein for review of his sentence.
3. The applicant now seeks that this court factors the remand period in his sentence and considers his mitigation as follows: -a.That he was a first offender.b.That he was aged 37 years at the time he committed the offence and showed remorse ahead of his sentence by the trial court.c.That he has been in the prison facility for a period of over 13 years with considerably good reputation.
4. The Sentence Review Report by Asha Gozi, Kisauni Probation Officer and filed on 22nd November 2023 was to the effect that the applicant has a supportive family that is willing to assist with his resettlement. She recommended that the sentence can be reviewed downwards.
5. This court has considered the sentence review report and hereby sets aside the life imprisonment which has been declared unconstitutional in the Court of Appeal case of Julius Kitsao Manyeso v Republic [2020] eKLR where it was held that imposition of a mandatory indeterminate life sentence, is an unjustifiable discrimination, unfair and repugnant to the principle of equality before the law under Article 27 of the Constitution.
6. To that end, life imprisonment is hereby set aside and substituted thereof with 30 years imprisonment to take effect from 9th December 2011 pursuant to Section 333(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT/ONLINE THROUGH MS TEAMS, THIS 15TH DAY OF MARCH 2024HON. LADY JUSTICE A. ONG’INJOJUDGEIn the presence of: -Etropia- Court AssistantMr. Ngiri for the RespondentApplicant present in personHON. LADY JUSTICE A. ONG’INJOJUDGE