[2017] KEHC 6050 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including testimony from witnesses who found the deceased with multiple injuries and the accused at the scene with bloodstained clothing and evidence of a struggle, was sufficient to establish a prima facie case of murder against the accused. The medical evidence...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEHC 6050 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Elijah Omari Onderi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 103 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Prima Facie Case at Close of Prosecution's Case
- Outcome
- Accused placed on his defence.
- Judges
- FM Mutuku
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Prima Facie Case, Criminal Procedure, Burden of Proof
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Elijah Omari Onderi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Prima Facie Case at Close of Prosecution's Case
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant his being placed on his defence.
- 2 Whether the evidence adduced links the accused to the offence of murder.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including testimony from witnesses who found the deceased with multiple injuries and the accused at the scene with bloodstained clothing and evidence of a struggle, was sufficient to establish a prima facie case of murder against the accused. The medical evidence confirmed the cause of death as head injuries due to blunt force trauma. The court concluded that the prosecution had met the threshold required under Section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code to place the accused on his defence.
Court Disposition
Accused placed on his defence.
Orders
- The accused is placed on his defence in compliance with Section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
14 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CRIMINAL CASE NUMBER 103 OF 2014
REPUBLIC…………………………………..PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
ELIJAH OMARI ONDERI…………………………ACCUSED
RULING
Elijah Omari Onderi, the accused, is charged with murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code. Particulars of the offence are that on the night of 19th and 20th October 2014 at Mihango area within Kayole Nairobi, with others not before the court, murdered Gabriel Oseko Mukaya. The accused has pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is represented by Mr. Masara.
Six witnesses have testified for the prosecution. From their evidence, Gabriel Oseko Mukaya, the deceased was found lying beside the road in Mihango Kayole on the morning of 20th October 2014. He has multiple injuries all over his body. He was naked underneath the sheet covering the lower part of his bodey. Some of the people who went to the scene that morning were Alex Kinara Migosi, PW1 and William Momanyi Moseti, PW3. Near the scene was a house. PW1 and other neighbours entered inside and found the accused lying on a bed. They asked him if he knew the deceased and what had happened. PW1 noticed items scattered in the house and bloodstains and broken sticks. He also noticed bloodstains on the jeans trousers worn by the accused. The matter was reported to the police who went to the scene. They started investigations and arrested the accused person.
The cause of death as testified by Dr. Oduor Johansen, PW5, was head injuries due to blunt force trauma. The doctor confirmed that the deceased had multiple injuries on his upper body and head.
I have considered this evidence and I am convinced that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused. I will therefore proceed to place him on his defence in compliance with Section 306 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Orders shall issue accordingly.
Dated, signed and delivered this 27th day of April 2017.
S. N. MUTUKU
JUDGE