[2020] KEHC 7976 (KLR)
The court found that, although the accused is presumed innocent and generally entitled to bail, there exist compelling reasons to deny bail in this case. The accused is charged with the grave offence of murder of his wife, and several witnesses are his own children and close relatives. The pre-bail report and family...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 7976 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Applicant: Peter Kinuthia Muthui
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Murang'a
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 22 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
- Outcome
- bail refused; trial to be fast-tracked due to accused's age
- Judges
- K Kimondo
- Legal Topics
- Bail Pending Trial, Compelling Reasons, Presumption of Innocence, Victims Rights
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Peter Kinuthia Muthui
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused is entitled to bail pending trial under the Constitution and relevant statutes.
- 2 Whether there are compelling reasons to deny bail to the accused in a murder case involving close family members as witnesses.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that, although the accused is presumed innocent and generally entitled to bail, there exist compelling reasons to deny bail in this case. The accused is charged with the grave offence of murder of his wife, and several witnesses are his own children and close relatives. The pre-bail report and family members indicate the accused is prone to substance abuse and violence, raising a real risk of interference with witnesses. The views of the victim's family, as required by the Victims Protection Act, were considered, and some family members strenuously opposed his release. The court concluded that these factors constitute compelling reasons to refuse bail. However, due to the...
Court Disposition
bail refused; trial to be fast-tracked due to accused's age
Orders
- Bail is refused for the accused pending trial.
- The trial is to be fast-tracked in view of the accused's advanced age.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
28 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MURANG’A
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 22 OF 2019
REPUBLIC....................................................................PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
PETER KINUTHIA MUTHUI............................................ACCUSED
RULING
1. The accused prays for bail pending trial.
2. His learned counsel, Mr. Mbuthia, submitted that the accused is an elderly man of 80 years. He argued that all the potential witnesses are adults who are unlikely to be swayed by the accused. He took up cudgels on the pre-bail report for quoting witnesses who were not interviewed by the probation officer.
3. Counsel submitted that notwithstanding the charge, the accused enjoyed the presumption of innocence; and, is entitled to bail. He conceded that the family is still hurting as a result of the homicide. But he was of the view that there are no compelling reasons for denial of bail.
4. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application on the grounds that the deceased was the wife of the accused; and, that potential witnesses include her children and other relatives. Counsel also submitted that the accused is violent which militates against his release.
5. The overarching objective of bail is to ensure the accused attends trial. See Muraguri v Republic [1989] KLR 181, Republic v Elias Kipkemoi, Eldoret High Court Criminal Case 42 of 2014 (unreported).
6. It is a truism that the accused is presumed innocent. Under Articles 49 (1) (h) and 50 of the Constitution, an accused person is entitled to bail unless there are compelling circumstances.
7. Other relevant matters to be considered by the court include: the nature of the charge; the likely sentence; previous criminal records; the views of the family of the victim; the possibility of interference with witnesses; the temptation to abscond; and, the safety of the accused.
8. The Victims Protection Act 2014 now requires that the views of victim’s family be considered at this stage. In the instant case the homicide occurred inside the nucleus family. In the real sense, the family of the accused is also the victim’s family.
9. The accused faces the grave charge of murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions informs the High Court that on 10th August 2019 at Kandengenye village, Kahuro Sub-County within Murang’a County he murdered Esther Njoki Kinuthia.
10. Like I have stated, the deceased was the wife of the accused. The accused is polygamous but the other wife is also deceased. There are 15 children from both houses. The local administration opposes his release. While it is true, that he lives alone, some of the witnesses are his children and close family members. For instance, his youngest son, James Ngonga, is listed as a witness on the reverse side of the Information. The son does not object to his release if the accused can desist from alcohol and violent behaviour.
11. But some of the family members strenuously opposed his release. The pre-bail report indicates that the accused is prone to substance abuse and he can be violent. Despite the witnesses being adults, the likelihood of interference with their evidence is not far-fetched.
12. All those are compelling reasons for denial of bail. The upshot is that bail is refused. However, in view of the advanced age of the accused, I direct that the trial be fast-tracked.
It is so ordered.
DATED, SIGNED and DELIVERED at MURANG’A this 27th day of February 2020.
KANYI KIMONDO
JUDGE
Ruling read in open court in the presence of-
The accused.
Mr. J. N. Mbuthia for the accused.
Ms. R. Gichuru for the Republic.
Ms. Dorcas & Ms. Susan, Court Assistants.