[2019] KEHC 1207 (KLR)
The court found that there were no compelling reasons in the witness statements or documentary evidence to deny the accused bail. The constitutional right to bail under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, applies, and the prosecution did not oppose the application. Therefore, the accused is entitled...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 1207 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Paul Kariuki Mwangi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nanyuki
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 5 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
- Outcome
- Bail granted to the accused upon his own cognizance in the sum of KShs 1,000,000 plus one surety in like sum.
- Judges
- DW Mbuteti
- Legal Topics
- Bail Pending Trial, Murder Charge, Constitutional Rights
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Paul Kariuki Mwangi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail 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 exist compelling reasons to deny the accused bail.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that there were no compelling reasons in the witness statements or documentary evidence to deny the accused bail. The constitutional right to bail under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, applies, and the prosecution did not oppose the application. Therefore, the accused is entitled to bail on reasonable terms.
Court Disposition
Bail granted to the accused upon his own cognizance in the sum of KShs 1,000,000 plus one surety in like sum.
Orders
- The accused shall be admitted to bail upon his own cognizance in the sum of KShs 1,000,000 plus one surety in like sum.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
17 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NANYUKI
CRIMINAL CASE NO 5 OF 2019
REPUBLIC..........................PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
PAUL KARIUKI MWANGI......ACCUSED
RULING ON BAIL
1. The Accused in this case, PAUL KARIUKI MWANGI, is charged with murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code. It is alleged in the information dated 01/03/2019 that in the night of 25/01/2019 at Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nanyuki Town within Laikipia County, he murdered one RONY KABURU MAINGI.
2. On 22/10/2019 the Accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Trial has not yet been scheduled. The Accused has asserted his constitutional right to bail. The Republic does not oppose.
3. Bail pending trial is now a constitutional right that will be denied only for compelling reason; and any condition that the court might impose for such bail, again by constitutional edict, must be reasonable. For all that see Article 49(1) (h) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
4. I have perused the witness statements and documentary evidence supplied by the prosecution to the Accused and to court. I find no compelling reason there to deny the Accused bail.
5. In the circumstances, the Accused shall be admitted to bail upon his own cognizance in the sum of KShs 1million plus one surety in like sum. It is so ordered.
DATED AND SIGNED AT NANYUKI THIS 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2019
H P G WAWERU
JUDGE
DELIVERED AT NANYUKI THIS 19TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2019