[2015] KEHC 7921 (KLR)
The court found that the information sought by the accused from Safaricom Limited is not in the prosecution's possession but is relevant and necessary for the preparation of the defence. Both the defence and prosecution stand to benefit from the disclosure, and the interests of justice require that all parties have...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 7921 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Applicant: Raphael Muoki Kalungu
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 77 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Interlocutory Application for Disclosure Orders
- Outcome
- application allowed
- Legal Topics
- Disclosure of Evidence, Right to Fair Trial, Telecommunications Data, Third Party Disclosure
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Republic
Respondent
Raphael Muoki Kalungu
Applicant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Interlocutory Application for Disclosure Orders
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused is entitled to obtain mobile phone records and related data from Safaricom Limited for the deceased's number to aid his defence.
- 2 Whether the court should compel a third party (Safaricom Limited) to disclose confidential subscriber information in the interests of justice.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the information sought by the accused from Safaricom Limited is not in the prosecution's possession but is relevant and necessary for the preparation of the defence. Both the defence and prosecution stand to benefit from the disclosure, and the interests of justice require that all parties have access to information that may aid their respective cases. The court determined that Safaricom Limited would not be prejudiced by providing the requested information and that the accused's right to a fair trial under Article 50 of the Constitution justifies the orders sought. Accordingly, the court granted the application and ordered Safaricom Limited to supply the specified...
Court Disposition
application allowed
Orders
- Safaricom Limited is ordered to supply the SMS records of the deceased Mary Waruguru Maina on mobile number 0723012294 from 5th July 2014 to 7th July 2014.
- Safaricom Limited is ordered to supply the call data records of the deceased Mary Waruguru Maina on mobile number 0723012294 from 5th July 2014 to 7th July 2014.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
IN THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CRIMINAL DIVISION
CRIMINAL CASE NO 77 OF 2014
REPUBLIC ……………………….PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
RAPHAEL MUOKI KALUNGU…………ACCUSED
RULING
The accused, Raphael Muoki Kalungu, has moved this court through his legal representative Ms Kethi Kilonzo instructed by Kilonzo & Company Advocates by a Notice of Motion dated 28th September 2015. He has cited Article 50 of the Constitution and seeks orders directed at Safaricom Limited to supply the following:
Safaricom Short Message Service (SMS) records of the deceased Mary Waruguru Maina on mobile number 0723012294 from 5th July 2014 to 7th July 2014.
Safaricom call data records of the deceased Mary Waruguru Maina on mobile number 0723012294 from 5th July 2014 to 7th July 2014.
Cell tower and the name of the location of the cell tower of any call data records of the deceased Mary Waruguru Maina on mobile umber 0723012294 from 5th July 2014 to 7th July 2014.
The International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and location of the mobile phone paired to Subscriber Identity or Identification Module (SIM) Card of the deceased Mary Waruguru Maina mobile number 0723012294.
The application is supported by the grounds found on the face of it and on the supporting affidavit of the accused dated 28thSeptember 2015. Ms Kethi Kilonzo also made oral submissions in line with the grounds supporting the application. Counsel submitted that the information the defence is seeking is crucial to the defence case and that this information was not supplied to them by the prosecution.
In brief, the accused, through his counsel requested for the information referred to and sought in this application from Safaricom through a letter dated 18th June 2015. A copy of the letter is annexed to the application and marked “A”. A response from Safaricom came in a letter dated 8th July 2015, a copy of which is annexed to the application and marked “B”. Safaricom declined to provide the information citing confidentiality of the information and the requirement for a court order before releasing such information.
The application is not opposed. The prosecution counsel Ms Macharia told the court that the prosecution would like to have the same information if it is available because the prosecution does not have it either.
I have considered the application. This court had directed the prosecution to provide the defence with any materials in respect of this case in their possession in order for the accused to adequately prepare for his defence. It is my understanding that the information now being sought by the defence is not in the possession of the prosecution. It is said to be in the custody of Safaricom Limited. I am of the view that the accused, just like the prosecution on behalf of the State and the family of the victim, are entitled to all the information that may aide their case respectively. In the interest of justice the information sought will not only aid the defence or the prosecution but may also facilitate this court in fairly determining this matter. In my view, Safaricom Limited will not be prejudiced by availing the information sought.
I am inclined to grant the orders sought in this application, which I hereby do. I allow the application dated 28th September 2015 in the terms of prayers (a), (b), (c), and (d) and orders shall issue accordingly.
Dated, signed and delivered in open court this 24thof November 2015.
S.N. MUTUKU
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Ms Mwaniki for the prosecution
Ms Kethi Kilonzo for the accused
Mr. Raphael Muoki Kalungu, the accused
Mr. Daniel Ngumbi, court clerk