[2024] KEHC 574 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant's original sentence of 20 years imprisonment for defilement was imposed under a mandatory sentencing regime that did not allow for consideration of mitigation. In light of the decision in Phillip Mueke Maingi & Others v Republic, which permits courts to exercise discretion and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 574 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Said Chaka Ndoro; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application E103 of 2023
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Resentencing Application
- Outcome
- Application for resentencing allowed; custodial sentence substituted with probation supervision for remainder of sentence.
- Judges
- A. Ong’injo
- Legal Topics
- Defilement Offence, Sentencing Review, Sexual Offences Act, Mitigation of Sentence
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Said Chaka Ndoro
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Resentencing Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to resentencing in light of the mandatory sentence previously imposed under Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act.
- 2 Whether the applicant's mitigation and period already served justify a review of the sentence.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant's original sentence of 20 years imprisonment for defilement was imposed under a mandatory sentencing regime that did not allow for consideration of mitigation. In light of the decision in Phillip Mueke Maingi & Others v Republic, which permits courts to exercise discretion and consider individual circumstances, the court reviewed the applicant's sentence. The applicant had served over 11 years, had positive reports from his community, and his family and village elder supported his reintegration. The court determined that the interests of justice would be served by allowing the applicant to serve the remainder of his sentence under probation supervision,...
Court Disposition
Application for resentencing allowed; custodial sentence substituted with probation supervision for remainder of sentence.
Orders
- The applicant shall serve the remainder of 2 years under probation supervision.
- The applicant must act as an ambassador against sexual and gender based violence in his home area.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Ndoro v Republic (Miscellaneous Criminal Application E103 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 574 (KLR) (25 January 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 574 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Mombasa
Miscellaneous Criminal Application E103 of 2023
A. Ong’injo, J
January 25, 2024
Between
Said Chaka Ndoro
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
Application 1. The applicant Said Chaka Ndoro was arraigned in court on 9. 6.2011 and charged in Mombasa Chief Magistrate’s Court Criminal Case No. 1854 of 2011 with the offence of defilement contrary to Section 8 (1) as read with 8 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006.
2. The applicant was convicted and sentenced to serve 20 years imprisonment on 25. 9.2012. His appeal in Criminal Appeal No. 230 of 2012 at Mombasa High Court but the trial court file was not traced and he opted to withdraw the appeal by a letter dated 12. 6.2023 and opted to file an application for resentencing.
3. In his application for resentencing, the applicant sought that this court considers his mitigation and reviews the sentence as his mitigation was not heard considering the mandatory nature of the sentence under Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act. He prayed that the holding in Const. Pet. No. E017 of 2021, Phillip Mueke Maingi & Other v Republic should be applied to him.
4. To consider the applicant’s application, this court called for a Sentence Review Report which was filled on 16. 11. 2023 showing that the applicant who is 51 years of age had served 11 years and 2 months in prison. It is also indicated that he was in remand custody from 9. 6.2011 before he was convicted and sentenced to serve 20 years from 25. 9.2012.
5. The Sentence Review Report indicate that the applicant’s friend, mother and village elder spoke well of him and proposed that his sentence be reviewed as they were ready to reintegrate him back to the community.
6. In consideration that the applicant has served a substantial period of his sentence, this court makes an order that he serves the remainder of 2 years under probation supervision on condition that he becomes an ambassador against sexual and gender based violence in his home area and attends at least one Chief/Assistant Chief’s baraza and/or mosque/church in a month and talk to members of the public within his home/residence area about the negative effects of sexual and gender based violence to the community in general. The probation officer in charge of his supervision to file a report to that effect at the conclusion of such supervision.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT/ONLINE THROUGH MS TEAMS THIS 25TH DAY OF JANUARY 2024HON. LADY JUSTICE A. ONG’INJOJUDGEIn the presence of: -Ogwel- Court AssistantMr. Ngiri for the RespondentApplicant present in personHON. LADY JUSTICE A. ONG’INJOJUDGE