[2017] KEHC 471 (KLR)
The court found that, despite the lackluster approach of the applicant's counsel and insufficient reasons for non-attendance, the applicant himself had been diligent in attending court. Guided by Article 159(d) of the Constitution, which emphasizes substantive justice over technicalities, the court determined that...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEHC 471 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Peter Mutwiri Kabete; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Chuka
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Application 1 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Reinstatement
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Judges
- BB Limo
- Legal Topics
- Reinstatement of Application, Non Attendance of Counsel, Expeditious Trial, Child Victim, Article 159 Constitution
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Peter Mutwiri Kabete
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Reinstatement
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the application dated 12th January 2017 should be reinstated after being withdrawn due to non-attendance of counsel.
- 2 Whether the applicant has demonstrated sufficient cause for the non-attendance of his counsel.
- 3 Whether the interests of justice and the best interests of the child victim require expeditious disposal of the case.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that, despite the lackluster approach of the applicant's counsel and insufficient reasons for non-attendance, the applicant himself had been diligent in attending court. Guided by Article 159(d) of the Constitution, which emphasizes substantive justice over technicalities, the court determined that the application should be reinstated to allow for a determination on its merits. The interests of justice, particularly given the involvement of a child victim, require that the matter be heard and disposed of expeditiously.
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- The application dated 12th January, 2017 is reinstated.
- The hearing and disposal of the application shall be given priority.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OFKENYA AT CHUKA
HIGH COURT CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 1 OF 2017
PETER MUTWIRI KABETE...................................................APPLICANT
VERSUS
REPULIC.............................................................................RESPONDENT
R U L I N G
1. PETER MUTWIRI KABETE, the applicant herein has moved this court vide a Notice of Motion dated 13th March 2017 under Article 50 of the Constitution for reinstatement of his application dated 12th January 2017 so that the same can be determined on the merits.
2. The grounds upon which this application has been made are as follows namely:
(i) That the application dated 12th January, 2017 was withdrawn on court's own motion due to non attendance of the Applicant's counsel on the date the application was scheduled for hearing.
(ii) That the applicant has been diligent in court attendance.
(iii) That the date the Application came up for hearing was taken exparte and was not suitable to the Applicant's Counsel.
(iv) That no prejudice will be occasioned to the Respondent if this application was allowed.
3. In his Supporting Affidavit sworn on 14th March 2017 the Applicant has deponed that his Advocate was unable to attend court due to the fact that the date given was inconvenient to his Advocate and that he has always attended court diligently himself.
4. The Respondent has opposed this application vide a Replying Affidavit by James Machirah learned Counsel representing the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. The Respondent contends that this application is unmerited, calculated only waste court's judicious time and meant to block finalization of Marimanti Criminal Case No. 307 of 2016. The Respondent has pointed out that the case in the lower court involves a child and that the best interest of the child which is primary consideration dictates that the trial should be concluded expeditiously. The Respondent has also pointed out that the prosecution closed its case on 8th June, 2016 but the case is yet to be concluded.
5. The Respondent has contended that the application sought to be reinstated is itself unmerited and has gone to great lengths to demonstrate that the same has no basis. In summary the Respondent contends that the Applicant has no legal or factual basis to seek for DNA sampling when the prosecution has closed its case.
6. This court has considered this Application and the response by the state. There is no doubt that the Respondent's main thrust in opposing this Application is its challenge on the merit of the substantive application dated 12th January, 2017. This court observes that the criminal matter pending in the trial court involves a child and that as a matter of law calls for expeditious disposal of the case for the interest of justice. I have not found good reasons why the Applicant's counsel failed to attend court on 20th February 2017. As a matter of fact the luckluster approach given to this matter is demonstrated by the Counsel's conduct in coming to court late on 21st June. 2017 when this application was scheduled for hearing. However that approach notwithstanding, I find that the Applicant has been attending court even when his Counsel has been absent. Besides that, this court is minded in the latter and spirit of Article 159(d) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 to rather determine matters before it on substance rather on technicalities. It is only on this ground that this court is inclined to allow this application.
In the premises the application dated 12th January, 2017 is hereby reinstated. The hearing and disposal of the application shall be given priority by this court for the interest of justice. I therefore direct that a hearing of the said application be taken forthwith.
Dated and delivered at Chuka this 18th July, 2017.
R. K. LIMO
JUDGE