[2024] KEHC 15826 (KLR)
The High Court determined that it could not ignore allegations of assault and human rights violations raised by an appellant in its proceedings, regardless of the prosecution's advice to await the outcome of investigations. The court emphasized its constitutional mandate to protect human rights and ensure compliance...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 15826 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Amon Myonga; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Voi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal E012 of 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Post Judgment Ruling on Allegation of Assault During Custody
- Outcome
- Matter referred to DCIO for investigation; further mention scheduled.
- Judges
- AN Ongeri
- Legal Topics
- Prisoner Rights, Allegations of Police Assault, Human Rights Violation, Judicial Duty to Protect Rights
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Amon Myonga
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Post Judgment Ruling on Allegation of Assault During Custody
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should intervene upon an allegation of assault by a prison officer while the appellant was in custody.
- 2 Whether the court has a duty to protect the constitutional and human rights of an appellant alleging mistreatment in custody.
- 3 How to proceed when the alleged perpetrator is not identified within the prison establishment.
Ratio Decidendi
The High Court determined that it could not ignore allegations of assault and human rights violations raised by an appellant in its proceedings, regardless of the prosecution's advice to await the outcome of investigations. The court emphasized its constitutional mandate to protect human rights and ensure compliance with constitutional values. Given the uncertainty regarding the identity of the alleged perpetrator and the seriousness of the allegations, the court referred the matter to the DCIO for investigation and scheduled a further mention to monitor progress, thereby actively safeguarding the appellant's constitutional rights and ensuring that allegations of abuse in custody are...
Court Disposition
Matter referred to DCIO for investigation; further mention scheduled.
Orders
- The case is referred to the DCIO for investigations into the alleged assault and human rights violations at Voi Prison.
- The matter will be mentioned on 23rd January 2025 for further directions.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
Myonga v Republic (Criminal Appeal E012 of 2024) [2024] KEHC 15826 (KLR) (16 December 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 15826 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Voi
Criminal Appeal E012 of 2024
AN Ongeri, J
December 16, 2024
Between
Amon Myonga
Appellant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. This court delivered a judgment on 22nd November 2024 dismissing the Appellant's appeal.
2. The court gave today's mention for purposes of following up on an allegation by the Appellant that he was assaulted by one PC Kipkorir Kirui while in custody at Voi Prison.
3. This court issued summons to PC Kipkorir Kirui to appear before this court today for directions.
4. There is a letter from one ALBANUS M. NZUENI (SSP) Voi Prisons who is the officer in charge at Voi Prison that there is no officer by the name of Kipkorir Kirui in their establishment.
5. The Appellant has brought it to the attention of this court that he was assaulted while in remand by an officer by the name ofKipkorir Kirui.
6. The prosecution counsel has advised this court to keep off this matter and wait for investigations to be completed and the suspect charged.
7. This court takes great exception to the sentiments of the Prosecutor of this court that this court should wait for investigations to be completed and the suspect charged and that this court can only handle this case if there is an appeal from the Magistrate's Court arising from the said assault charge.
8. This case involves an allegation of violation of Human Rights and it is the duty of every Judicial Officer and Judge to uphold Human Rights.
9. It is not clear how the suspect be charged if he is not even known by the very establishment where he is alleged to be working.
10. All courts, including the High Court, are enjoined by the Constitution to uphold the rights of all and to ensure compliance with constitutional values.
11. The Appellant raised his complaint in this court and it is the duty of this court to ensure that his constitutional rights are protected.
12. I refer this case to DCIO for investigations.
13. The court will give a further mention date to ensure that the matter is investigated and appropriate action taken.
14. It has also been brought to this court’s attention that there are several allegations of assault and violation of human rights by inmates at Voi Prison and the same should be investigated by the DCIO and appropriate action taken.
15. This case will be mentioned on 23rd January 2025 for further directions.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED THIS 16TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2024 IN OPEN COURT AT VOI.ASENATH ONGERIJUDGEIn the presence of:-Court Assistant: TrizahNo appearance for the prosecutionThe Applicant – present