[2018] KEHC 6843 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution and probation officer provided sufficient evidence of compelling reasons to deny bail. These included the accused's lack of a fixed abode, rejection by both his family and the community, a prior conviction for assault, and the risk that he may interfere with witnesses or fail to...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 6843 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Applicant: Moses Njagi Wachira
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nanyuki
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 10 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Application Pending Trial
- Outcome
- bail application dismissed
- Judges
- MM Kasango
- Legal Topics
- Bail Pending Trial, Compelling Reasons, Risk of Absconding, Witness Interference
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Moses Njagi Wachira
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Application Pending Trial
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 the accused bail.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution and probation officer provided sufficient evidence of compelling reasons to deny bail. These included the accused's lack of a fixed abode, rejection by both his family and the community, a prior conviction for assault, and the risk that he may interfere with witnesses or fail to attend trial. The court held that these factors created an unacceptable risk if the accused were released on bail, and thus the constitutional right to bail was outweighed by the need to ensure the accused's attendance at trial and the integrity of the judicial process.
Court Disposition
bail application dismissed
Orders
- The application for bail by the accused is dismissed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
32 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NANYUKI
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 10 OF 2017
REPUBLIC.................................PROSECUTOR
Versus
MOSES NJAGI WACHIRA...............ACCUSED
RULING
1. MOSES NJAGIWACHIRA( 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 and his trial commenced on 20th February, 2018, when three witnesses testified. When the case was adjourned for further hearing the accused sought that he released on bail pending trial.
2. The application of bail was opposed by the prosecution on reliance of the affidavit of the investigating officer in this case.
3. In that affidavit the investigating officer deponed that he had established that the accused, if released on bail was likely to interfere with witnesses; that the accused’s life would be in danger from the members of the community; and that the accused has a previous conviction for an offence of assault where he was sentenced to a jail term of 18 months.
4. The probation officer through his report dated 1st December, 2017 stated that the accused was unsuitable for release on bail because he had no fixed abode, his family members are unwilling to stand surety for him; that he had been chased away by the community from Karatina area, where he previously resided with his family members, because of his deviant behaviours of stealing and pick-pocketing; that when he moved away from Karatina he settled at Narumoru area, where the offence of murder occurred, and the community there is unwilling to accept him back.
5. Article 49 (10 (h)of the constitution provides that an arrested person has a right to be released on bond or bail, on reasonable conditions, pending trial, unless there are compelling reasons not to be release.
6. From the summary of the prosecution’s argument and the probation officer’s report, it becomes very clear that there is present an unacceptable risk, that if the accused is granted bail, he may fail to attend his trial. Justice Fred. A Ochieng in the case REPUBLIC – V- AHMED MOHAMMED OMAR & 6 OTHERS [2010] eKLRadopted the decision in the case of REPUBLIC – VS- JOHN KAHINDIKARISA& 2 OTHERS where it was held thus:
“….Murder involves the loss of life of the victim who is a farther, mother, brother sister, son or daughter of somebody in society. There is a victim who lost life and an aggrieved family. Murder touches on the social fabric and it affects the security of and peace in the community.
As a result, there is great desire by a court to be assured that all things being equal, the accused shall not likely but indeed will attend court on the day of the trial, freely voluntarily and without coercive compulsion.”
7. The above case is applicable to the facts of this case.
8. In my view the evidence presented to this court sufficiently shows that there are compelling reasons to deny the accused bail. Accordingly the application for bail is dismissed.
Dated and Delivered at Nanyuki this 18th April 2018
MARY KASANGO
JUDGE
Coram
Before Justice Mary Kasango
Court Assistant: Njue/Mariastella
Accused: Moses NjagiWachira
For accused……………………………
For state: ………………………………
Language ………………………………
COURT
Ruling delivered in open court
MARY KASANGO
JUDGE