[2024] KEHC 10760 (KLR)
The court found that the accused's minor daughter is a vulnerable key witness and that the likelihood of interference by the accused is not far-fetched. Additionally, the accused's safety could not be guaranteed due to recent mob violence against her. These factors constituted compelling reasons to deny bail at this...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2024] KEHC 10760 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Zainab Kwamboka
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case E032 of 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Application
- Outcome
- Bail refused; trial to be fast-tracked.
- Judges
- K Kimondo
- Legal Topics
- Bail Application, Compelling Reasons, Presumption of Innocence, Witness Interference
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Zainab Kwamboka
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused is entitled to bail pending trial under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution.
- 2 Whether there are compelling reasons to deny bail, including risk of interference with a key witness and safety concerns for the accused.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the accused's minor daughter is a vulnerable key witness and that the likelihood of interference by the accused is not far-fetched. Additionally, the accused's safety could not be guaranteed due to recent mob violence against her. These factors constituted compelling reasons to deny bail at this stage, notwithstanding the presumption of innocence and the constitutional right to bail. The court emphasized that the trial should be fast-tracked in the interests of justice.
Court Disposition
Bail refused; trial to be fast-tracked.
Orders
- Bail is refused at this stage.
- The trial shall be fast-tracked in the interests of justice.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
Republic v Kwamboka (Criminal Case E032 of 2024) [2024] KEHC 10760 (KLR) (Crim) (19 September 2024) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 10760 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
Criminal
Criminal Case E032 of 2024
K Kimondo, J
September 19, 2024
Between
Republic
Prosecutor
and
Zainab Kwamboka
Accused
Ruling
1. On 26th July 2024, learned counsel for the accused, Mr. Mwale, made an oral application for bail. The application was opposed by the Republic.
2. He submitted that bail is guaranteed by Article 49 (1) (h) of the Constitution; and, that the prosecution has failed to demonstrate any compelling reasons for its denial. He argued further that there is no sound basis for assertions by the Republic that the accused will interfere with the evidence of her minor daughter who is a potential witness.
3. The primary objection by the prosecution is that the accused’s 11-year-old daughter, S. T. [particulars withheld] is a key witness to the homicide. In addition, the safety of the accused would not be guaranteed at this stage. Reliance was made on the affidavit sworn by PC Mark Mulinge on 23rd May 2024.
4. I take the following view of the matter. The accused faces the grave charge of murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions informs the High Court that on the 10th March 2024 at Fuata Nyayo slums, South B, in Makadara Sub-County within Nairobi County she murdered James Mwangi Mugo.
5. Those remain allegations; and the accused is presumed innocent. Under Article 49 (1) (h) of the Constitution, she is entitled to bail unless there be compelling circumstances.
6. The overarching objective of bail is to ensure that the accused attends trial. See Muraguri v Republic [1989] KLR 181; Michael Juma Oyamo & another v Republic [supra]; Muraguri v Republic [1989] KLR 181; R v Fredrick Ole Leliman & 4 others, Nairobi High Court Criminal Case 57 of 2016 [2016] eKLR.
7. From the affidavit of the investigating officer, the accused and the deceased were married. The alleged homicide occurred at their residence. The minor, who was in the house, is a State witness. He also avers that the accused was only saved by the police from a lynch mob and they took her to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment. It bears repeating that all those remain allegations for now.
8. Granted those unique circumstances of the case, I readily find that the minor remains a vulnerable key witness; and, that the likelihood of interference by the accused is not far-fetched. Secondly, it is not contested that the accused was beaten up by irate members of the public before she was rescued by the police. Considering the recent date of the incident, her security cannot be fully guaranteed.
9. All those are compelling reasons for denial of bail. Bail is refused at this stage. I however direct that in the interests of justice, this trial shall be fast-tracked.It is so ordered.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NAIROBI THIS 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. KANYI KIMONDOJUDGERuling read virtually on Microsoft Teams in the presence of-Accused.Ms. Kigira for the Republic instructed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.Mr. Mwale for the accused.Mr. E. Ombuna, Court Assistant.