[2015] KEHC 5719 (KLR)
The court found that, given the applicant is charged with murder and the prosecution witnesses are her relatives and neighbours, there is a real possibility of interference with witnesses. The applicant has already been supplied with witness statements, and her co-accused (her husband) is still at large, increasing...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 5719 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Applicant: Beatrice Wanthi Musembi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 40 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
- Outcome
- bail denied at this stage; application to be reconsidered after witness testimony
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Bail Pending Trial, Murder Charge, Compelling Reasons, Witness Interference
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Beatrice Wanthi Musembi
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to bail pending trial for a charge of murder.
- 2 Whether there are compelling reasons to deny the applicant bail under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
- 3 Whether the applicant is likely to interfere with witnesses or abscond if released on bail.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that, given the applicant is charged with murder and the prosecution witnesses are her relatives and neighbours, there is a real possibility of interference with witnesses. The applicant has already been supplied with witness statements, and her co-accused (her husband) is still at large, increasing the risk of absconding. The severity of the potential sentence further increases this risk. Therefore, the court held that there are compelling reasons to deny bail at this stage. However, the court directed that the prosecution avail witnesses at the next hearing date, after which the application for bail may be reconsidered once some evidence has been taken.
Court Disposition
bail denied at this stage; application to be reconsidered after witness testimony
Orders
- The application for bail is declined at this stage.
- The prosecution is directed to avail witnesses on the hearing date 28/4/2015.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
19 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 40 OF 2014
REPUBLIC …………………………………………….PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
BEATRICE WANTHI MUSEMBI ……………APPLICANT/ACCUSED
RULING
1. Beatrice Wanthi Musembi, the Applicant is charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. Per the allegation, on the 18TH day of June, 2014 at Ngwiwa Village, in NguumoLocation within Makueni County, jointly with another not before court murdered Alim Mwapheso Katiwa.
2. In an application dated 21st November, 2014 the applicant seeks to be released on bail pending trial. The application is based on grounds that the accused (applicant) has been in custody since 27th June, 2014; her freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 has been compromised since her arrest and it is her right to be released on reasonable bail terms.
3. The application is supported by an affidavit deponed by Benjamin Munyoki Musau whereby he reiterated what was stated in the grounds of the application and added that the applicant was arrested in connection with the murder of her nephew, and there are no compelling reasons that would prevent her release on bail.
4. No. 56803 Inspector Gerald Ndirangu swore an affidavit in reply. He stated that per the allegation, the Applicant had committed the offence of murder – jointly with another who is still at large; prosecution witnesses who will testify are members of the same clan and neighbours of the applicant who reside in the same locality, therefore, there was a high possibility of being fearful as the applicant already knows the kind of evidence they will tender as she has been supplied with statements.
5. The suspect who disappeared being a husband to the applicant, there was a likelihood of the applicant absconding. The expected sentence if convicted is severe which may tempt the applicant to abscond.
6. The paramount consideration in such an application is whether the accused will turn up for trial.
7. It has been held that the court would also consider the likelihood of the accused interfering with the witnesses or may suppress any evidence that may incriminate him ( see Republic versus Danson Mgunya and Another H.C.CR,C No. 25 of 2008).
8. It is not denied that witnesses who will testify will be the accused person’s relatives (clan mates). There may be a possibility of interference with witnesses. In the premises, I decline to grant the applicant bail at this stage but direct the prosecution to avail witnesses on the hearing date 28/4/2015 when the application shall be re-considered after taking their evidence.
9. It is so ordered.
DATED, SIGNEDand DELIVERED at MACHAKOS THIS17THday of MARCH, 2015.
L.N. MUTENDE
JUDGE