[2019] KEHC 11989 (KLR)
The court found that the mandatory death sentence imposed on the petitioner was unconstitutional, relying on the Supreme Court decision in Francis Karioko Muruatetu & Another v Republic [2017] eKLR, which declared the mandatory nature of the death penalty under Section 204 of the Penal Code unconstitutional. The...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 11989 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Newton Njoroge; Respondent: Director of Public Prosecutions
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Mombasa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Petition 54 of 2016
- Procedural Posture
- Constitutional Petition / Judgment
- Outcome
- death sentence set aside; petitioner resentenced to 30 years imprisonment from date of arrest
- Judges
- DO Ogembo
- Legal Topics
- Mandatory Death Sentence, Right to Fair Trial, Mitigation of Sentence, Cruel Inhuman Degrading Punishment
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Newton Njoroge
Appellant
Director of Public Prosecutions
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the mandatory death sentence for murder under Section 204 of the Penal Code is unconstitutional.
- 2 Whether the failure to consider the petitioner's mitigation infringed his constitutional rights under Articles 25 and 29 of the Constitution.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the mandatory death sentence imposed on the petitioner was unconstitutional, relying on the Supreme Court decision in Francis Karioko Muruatetu & Another v Republic [2017] eKLR, which declared the mandatory nature of the death penalty under Section 204 of the Penal Code unconstitutional. The court held that sentencing must allow for consideration of mitigation and individual circumstances to avoid infringing constitutional rights. Consequently, the court set aside the death sentence and resentenced the petitioner to a term of thirty years' imprisonment from the date of arrest, emphasizing the need for punishment that reflects both the gravity of the offence and the...
Court Disposition
death sentence set aside; petitioner resentenced to 30 years imprisonment from date of arrest
Orders
- The death sentence imposed on the petitioner is set aside.
- The petitioner is sentenced to thirty (30) years imprisonment from the date of arrest.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MOMBASA
CONSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIVISION
PETITION NO. 54 OF 2016
NEWTON NJOROGE……………………………………………… PETITIONER
VERSUS
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS………………RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
1. The Petitioner herein was charged and convicted with the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 and Section 204 of the Penal Code. The Petitioner subsequently lodged a first appeal before the High Court and a second appeal in the Court of Appeal.
2. Brief facts of the case are that on 14th and 15th June, 2009 at Majimboni Village, Msambweni within Coast province murdered Felix Kisila Syanda through Secondary Strangulations (Asphyxia). The Petitioner was convicted to 30 Years in Jail. Being aggrieved by the Sentence the Petitioner appealed to the Court of Appeal at Mombasa which issued Judgment on 16th October 2015 dismissing the Appeal and enhanced the sentence to Mandatory Sentence of death.
3. The Petitioner now claims that the sentencing to death by the trial court as well as the two appellate courts was an infringement of his fundamental rights. The Petitioner avers that the death sentence issued by the Court of Appeal was cruel, inhuman and degrading.
4. The Petitioner further claims that the said courts did not consider his mitigation and as such the sentence is an infringement of the Petitioner’s rights under Articles 25 and Article 29 of the Constitution.
Hearing and Submissions
5. The parties filed their submissions and the Petition came up for hearing on 17th September, 2019.
6. It was the Petitioner’s submissions that he is rehabilitating the prisoners in prison. He has also written a book about his condition and would wish to go out and help other people.
7. The Respondent opposed the Petition, submitting that taking into account the circumstances of the case a deterrent sentence of 30 years including the 10 years served would be sufficient.
The Determination
8. On the issue of sentence, this court relies on the Supreme Court case in Francis Karioko Muruatetu & Another -vs- Republic [2017] Eklr declared where the mandatory nature of the death sentence as provided for under Section 204 of the Penal Code was found to be unconstitutional. To that extent this court can now resentence the Petitioner.
9. The Petitioner committed murder and was convicted. He must understand that he caused an innocent person to loose his life. Murder must be properly punished to send a clear warning to the would be murderers that they would be severely punished. I now hereby set aside the death sentence imposed on the Petitioner and substitute the same with a jail term of thirty (30) years from the date of arrest. Right of Appeal in 14 days.
Dated, Signed and Delivered in Mombasa this 13th day of November, 2019.
E. K. O. OGOLA
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Mr. Fedha for DPP
Petitioner in person
Mr. Kaunda Court Assistant