[2023] KEHC 17893 (KLR)
The court found that, despite the mitigating factors including the accused's age, remorse, lack of malice aforethought, and willingness to reconcile with the deceased's family, the gravity of the offence of murder necessitated a custodial sentence. The court considered the pre-sentence report and the period already...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEHC 17893 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Lokitoe Chapu Ilema
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Lodwar
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 5 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Sentencing
- Outcome
- accused sentenced to ten years imprisonment
- Judges
- JK Sergon
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Sentencing, Mitigation, Malice Aforethought
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Lokitoe Chapu Ilema
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Sentencing
Legal Issues
- 1 What is the appropriate sentence for the accused convicted of murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code.
- 2 Whether the mitigating circumstances and pre-sentence report warrant leniency in sentencing.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that, despite the mitigating factors including the accused's age, remorse, lack of malice aforethought, and willingness to reconcile with the deceased's family, the gravity of the offence of murder necessitated a custodial sentence. The court considered the pre-sentence report and the period already spent in custody, ultimately determining that a ten-year imprisonment term was appropriate and proportionate to the circumstances of the case.
Court Disposition
accused sentenced to ten years imprisonment
Orders
- The accused is sentenced to serve ten (10) years imprisonment.
- The period spent in custody is taken into account.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
22 paragraphs
Republic v Ilema (Criminal Case 5 of 2018) [2023] KEHC 17893 (KLR) (31 May 2023) (Sentence)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEHC 17893 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Lodwar
Criminal Case 5 of 2018
JK Sergon, J
May 31, 2023
Between
Republic
Prosecutor
and
Lokitoe Chapu Ilema
Accused
Sentence
1. Lokitoe Chapu Ilema, the accused person herein, was on March 30, 2023 convicted for the offence of murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the penal code.
2. Upon convicting the accused this court invited the defence to mitigate and also called upon the county probation officer, Turkana County to file a pre-sentence report.
3. I have considered the written submissions on mitigation filed by the accused’s advocate. The learned advocate pointed out that the accused person is aged 65 years old and that he is remorseful.
4. It is argued that the accused had no malice aforethought to cause death. This court was urged to be lenient. The Turkana county probation officer filed a pre-sentence report in which it is indicated that the accused is aged 60 years. It is further stated that the Accused is blessed with eight (8) children.
5. It is also indicated by the report that the deceased is the accused’s second wife. The accused has however expressed his intention to reconcile with the deceased’s family. The deceased’s family have expressed in the report their intention to reconcile with the accused if he takes responsibility.
6. Having taken into account the facts in mitigation and the probation pre-sentence report I am convinced that a custodial sentence is the most appropriate in the circumstances.
7. I have taken into account the period the accused spent in custody. I hereby sentence the accused to serve ten (10) years imprisonment.
DATES, SIGNED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY THIS 31STDAY OF MAY 2023. J K SERGONJUDGEIn the presence of:C/Assistant – RutohProsecutor - KakoiAccused – Present in Prison