[2021] KEHC 6241 (KLR)
The court held that the accused is entitled to bail unless compelling reasons are shown to deny it. The Constitution presumes innocence and guarantees reasonable bail. The prosecution did not provide compelling reasons to deny bail. The court considered the gravity of the offence and the seriousness of the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] KEHC 6241 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Applicant: James Wainaina Mburu
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kiambu
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case E002 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Application
- Outcome
- Bail granted with conditions.
- Judges
- MM Kasango
- Legal Topics
- Bail Application, Presumption of Innocence, Compelling Reasons, Murder Charge
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
James Wainaina Mburu
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused is entitled to bail pending trial for the offence of murder.
- 2 Whether there are compelling reasons to deny the accused bail.
- 3 What are the appropriate terms for bail or bond in this case.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the accused is entitled to bail unless compelling reasons are shown to deny it. The Constitution presumes innocence and guarantees reasonable bail. The prosecution did not provide compelling reasons to deny bail. The court considered the gravity of the offence and the seriousness of the punishment, which are relevant but not determinative in the absence of evidence that the accused would abscond or interfere with witnesses. The probation pre-bail report was favorable, and the accused undertook to comply with bail terms. Accordingly, the court granted bail with conditions to ensure the accused's attendance and non-interference with witnesses.
Court Disposition
Bail granted with conditions.
Orders
- James Wainaina Mburu is granted bond of Kshs.500,000 and two sureties of the same amount.
- In the alternative, James Wainaina Mburu shall be released on cash bail of Kshs.2,000,000.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KIAMBU
CRIMINAL CASE NO. E002 OF 2021
REPUBLIC..............................................................................PROSECUTOR
VS.
JAMES WAINAINA MBURU.......................................................ACCUSED
RULING
1. This is a ruling on bail application made by JAMES WAINAINA MBURU(the accused). The accused is charged with the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
2. The learned counsel for the accused, Mr. Muiru made an impassionate plea for the accused to be released on bail/bond on reasonable terms. The learned counsel stated that he had discussed with the accused the need to adhere to the terms of his release on bail/bond and that his client was agreeable to follow the terms set out by the court.
3. The probation pre-bail report is favourable to the release of accused on bail/bond. That report shows that the accused’s family does not have land registered in their name, they therefore request that the accused be released on cash bail of Kshs.300,000/=.
ANALYSIS
4. The constitution under Article 50(2) pronounces that one of the components of fair trial to includes the right to be presumed innocent until contrary is proved. That presumption of innocence is at the bail hearing as well as at the trial stage. The right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause or what the Constitution refers to as compelling reason, is entrenched in the constitution under Article 49(1)(h). The nature of the charge a person faces is relevant and should be considered in bail/bond application. This was so stated in the case REPUBLIC VS. ROBER ZIPPOR NZILU (2018) eKLR as follows:-
“10. Gravity of the offence as a consideration was appreciated by Mbogholi Msagha, J in Criminal Application No. 319 of 2002 PRISCILLA JEMUTAI KOLONGE VS. REPUBLIC (unreported) at page 3, wherein he held as follows:-
‘However, the nature of the charge or offence and the seriousness of the punishment if the applicant is found guilty must be considered in applications of this nature. I subscribe to the observation that where the charge against the accused is more serious and punishment heavy, there are more probabilities and incentive to abscond, whereas in case of minor offences, there may be no such incentive.’”
5. With the above discussion in mind, I grant the following orders:-
(a) James Wainaina Mburu is granted bond of Kshs.500,000/= and two sureties of the same amount.
(b) In the alternative, James Wainaina Mburu shall be released on cash bail of Kshs.2,000,000/= (two million).
(c) James Wainaina Mburu is granted bail/bond as above on condition he will not contact or interfere with prosecution’s witnesses.
RULING DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT KIAMBU THIS 10TH DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
MARY KASANGO
JUDGE
Coram:
Court Assistant Ndege
Applicant/accused: Present
Respondent/prosecutor: Kasyoka
COURT
Ruling delivered virtually.
MARY KASANGO
JUDGE