[2022] KEHC 17263 (KLR)
The court found that there were no compelling reasons advanced by the prosecution to deny bail to the Subject, who is a minor charged with murder. The court acknowledged the Subject's status as a Tanzanian national and exercised caution by imposing conditions to secure attendance at trial. The supportive stance of...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 17263 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: EK
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kajiado
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case E010 of 2022
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Bail Application Ruling
- Outcome
- Application for bail allowed.
- Judges
- SN Mutuku
- Legal Topics
- Bail Pending Trial, Juvenile Offender, Murder Charge
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
EK
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Bail Application Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Subject, a minor charged with murder, should be admitted to bail pending trial.
- 2 Whether the fact that the Subject is a foreign national constitutes a compelling reason to deny bail.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that there were no compelling reasons advanced by the prosecution to deny bail to the Subject, who is a minor charged with murder. The court acknowledged the Subject's status as a Tanzanian national and exercised caution by imposing conditions to secure attendance at trial. The supportive stance of the Subject's family and their willingness to provide sureties or cash bail were considered sufficient to mitigate flight risk. The constitutional right to bail was upheld, and the application was allowed with stringent terms to ensure the Subject's presence in court.
Court Disposition
Application for bail allowed.
Orders
- The Subject shall execute a bond of KES 1,000,000 with two Kenyan sureties of KES 500,000 each.
- Alternatively, the Subject can deposit KES 700,000 as cash bail through his relatives.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
Republic v EK (Criminal Case E010 of 2022) [2022] KEHC 17263 (KLR) (20 December 2022) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2022] KEHC 17263 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Kajiado
Criminal Case E010 of 2022
SN Mutuku, J
December 20, 2022
Between
Republic
Prosecutor
and
EK
Subject
Ruling
1. The Subject, aged 15 years or under 18 years as the age assessment report shows, faces a charge of murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code. The particulars read that on the day of May 5, 2022, at {Particulars witheld} area in Namanga Sub-County within Kajiado County murdered SKN.
2. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
3. After the plea was taken, Ms Njari moved this court to consider admitted the Subject to bail/bond pending the hearing and determination of this matter. The prosecution did not oppose bail. This court called for a pre-bail report which has been filed.
4. I have read the report. It confirms that the Subject is a Tanzanian National and a school drop-out. His family is supportive that they will ensure that the Subject attends court until this matter is heard and fully determined. They are also willing to offer cash bail given that they are Tanzanian Nationals.
5. Bail/bond is constitutional right that can be denied where compelling reasons exist. The prosecution is not opposed to the application for bail and I find that there are no compelling reasons advanced. I am alive that the Subject is a foreigner and therefore I exercise caution to ensure that the paramount consideration of the Subject attending court when required to do so is achieved.
6. I have no reason to decline this application. I therefore allow the application and admit the Subject to bail pending the hearing and determination of this case. I grant the following orders:i.The Subject shall execute a bond of Kenya Shillings One Million (Kshs 1,000,000) with two Kenyan sureties of Kenya Shillings Five Hundred Thousand each.ii.In the alternative the Subject can deposit, through his relatives, Kenya Shillings Seven Hundred Thousand (Kshs 700,000) as cash bail.iii.The Subject is cautioned to attend court at all times he is required to do so until this case is heard and determined.
7. It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered this 20thDecember, 2022. S. N. MUTUKUJUDGE1| Ruling in Kajiado Criminal Case No. e010 of 2011