[2020] KEHC 276 (KLR)
The court found that while the accused is entitled to bail, the pre-bail report raised legitimate concerns about his safety due to the risk of mob injustice in his home area. The willingness of family members to stand surety and provide alternative accommodation was noted, but the probation officer could not...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 276 (KLR)
- Parties
- Defendant: Simon Mugo Kinyanjui; Respondent: Republic of Kenya
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 1 of 2020
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Bail Ruling
- Outcome
- bail_granted_with_conditions
- Judges
- NA Matheka
- Legal Topics
- Bail Application, Murder Charge, Pre Bail Report, Mob Justice Risk
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Simon Mugo Kinyanjui
Defendant
Republic of Kenya
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Bail Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused should be granted bail pending trial given the risk to his safety from potential mob injustice.
- 2 Whether conditions can be imposed to ensure the accused's safety and attendance at trial.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that while the accused is entitled to bail, the pre-bail report raised legitimate concerns about his safety due to the risk of mob injustice in his home area. The willingness of family members to stand surety and provide alternative accommodation was noted, but the probation officer could not guarantee the accused's safety or his ability to attend court if released without conditions. Therefore, the court exercised its discretion to grant bail with strict conditions: a bond of Ksh 200,000 with two sureties of Ksh 100,000 each, approval of sureties by the Deputy Registrar, and a requirement that the accused stay away from his home area, specifically Kisima Stage, pending...
Court Disposition
bail_granted_with_conditions
Orders
- Bond is set at Ksh 200,000 with two sureties each of Ksh 100,000.
- Sureties to be approved by the Deputy Registrar.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
18 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAKURU
CRIMINAL CASE NO.1 OF 2020
R VS SIMON MUGO KINYANJUI
BAIL RULING
19-year-old Simon Mugo Kinyanjui is charged with murder c/s 203 as read with 204 of the Penal Code. It is alleged that on the 21st day of December 2019 at Kisima Stage Njoro sub county within Nakuru County jointly with another not before court murdered Boniface Kimathi Mugwe.
His application for bond was not opposed by the state.
A pre bail report filed on 21st February 2020 revealed that the accused faced the threat of mob injustice if released as the ground was still hostile against him. His home and that of the victim were said to be close by and no one could vouch for his safety upon release. It was proposed that, for his own safety, he could be relocated to a different area pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The court directed the probation officer to address the issue of the proposed relocation in some detail as it was in the interest of the accused to be safe and at the same time, to be able to appear in court for his trial. Then Covid 19 struck and there was a bit of delay.
The report was finally filed on 12th October 2020.
It is evident from that report that there is no guarantee as to the safety of the accused, or his attending court should he be released on bond. That is what the probation officer is saying. Yet, in the report his mother and aunt are willing to stand surety, and another aunt, to host him in her home which is10km away from the scene of the crime.
In the circumstances of his case, I direct as follows:
1. That bond is set at Ksh 200,000 with two sureties each of Ksh 100,000.
2. The sureties be approved by the Deputy Registrar.
3. Upon release the accused on bond, and pending the hearing and determination of this case, the accused to stay away from his home area, and in this case, anywhere near Kisima Stage.
Given at Nakuru this 30th October 2020.
Mumbua T Matheka
Judge