[2019] KEHC 3084 (KLR)
The court found no compelling reason to deny the 1st accused bail, considering her age, medical condition, and the circumstances of the alleged offense. The presumption of innocence and her right to bail under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution were emphasized. In contrast, the 2nd accused was denied bail due to...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 3084 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Accused: Virginia Muthoni Mwangi; Accused: Nicholas Mwangi Muthoni
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Murang'a
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 11 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Bail Application Ruling
- Outcome
- Bail granted to 1st accused with conditions; bail denied to 2nd accused.
- 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
Virginia Muthoni Mwangi
Accused
Nicholas Mwangi Muthoni
Accused
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Bail Application Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether there are compelling reasons to deny bail to the accused persons pending trial.
- 2 Whether the 1st accused should be released on bail given her medical condition and circumstances.
- 3 Whether the 2nd accused's conduct and the views of the victim's family justify denial of bail.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found no compelling reason to deny the 1st accused bail, considering her age, medical condition, and the circumstances of the alleged offense. The presumption of innocence and her right to bail under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution were emphasized. In contrast, the 2nd accused was denied bail due to the gravity of the charge, his regular drug use, the brutality of the alleged offense, the recency of the death, and strong objections from the victim's family, who are also witnesses. The court held that releasing the 2nd accused at this stage would be insensitive and could risk interference with witnesses or public confidence in the administration of justice.
Court Disposition
Bail granted to 1st accused with conditions; bail denied to 2nd accused.
Orders
- Bail for the 2nd accused is refused.
- The 1st accused may be released on bail upon execution of a cognizance in the sum of Kshs 200,000 together with one surety of a similar amount.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
29 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MURANG’A
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 11 OF 2019
REPUBLIC………………………………………………………..PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
VIRGINIA MUTHONI MWANGI………………………………1ST ACCUSED
NICHOLAS MWANGI MUTHONI……………………………..2ND ACCUSED
RULING
1. The accused pray for bail pending trial.
2. Their learned counsel, Ms. Kimani, submitted that there were no compelling reasons to deny the 1st accused bail. But she was non-committal about the circumstances of the 2nd accused.
3. The Director of Public Prosecutions only opposed the release of the 2nd accused.
4. 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).
5. It is a truism that the accused is presumed innocent. Under Article 49 (1) (h) of the Constitution, an accused person is entitled to bail unless there are compelling circumstances.
6. 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.
7. In addition, the Victims Protection Act 2014 requires the views of victim’s family to be taken into account at this stage. The deceased’s brother, Kamau, and his wife, Wangari, are still grieving the loss of their relative. The latter was emphatic in her objections to the release of both accused. It is not lost on me that Kamau and Wangari are listed as witnesses in this case.
8. The accused face a grave charge of murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions informs the High Court that on 5th June 2019 at Gitugi Location within Murang’a County they jointly murdered Peter Maina Macharia.
9. The pre-bail report dated 7th October 2019 indicates that the 2nd accused regularly smokes bhang; a roll a day since about 2010. He is a son of the 1st accused. From the circumstances disclosed in the committal bundle; the brutality meted out on the deceased; and, considering that the death occurred barely four months ago, I find that it would be highly insensitive to release the 2nd accused at this stage.
10. The 1st accused on the other hand was born in 1958. She has a serious medical condition. She used to have a relationship with the deceased until three years ago. It is alleged that the homicide occurred when the deceased, who was drunk, insisted on being allowed into her homestead. When he refused to leave, she sought the assistance of the 1st accused which led to the assault and death of the deceased. All those are mere accusations for now; the accused are still deemed innocent. Taking all factors into consideration, I find no compelling reason to deny the 1st accused bail.
11. The upshot is that bail for the 2nd accused is refused.
12. However, the 1st accused may be released on bail upon execution of a cognizance in the sum of Kshs 200,000 together with one surety of a similar amount. There will be two conditions: Firstly, the 1st accused shall not interfere with witnesses; and, secondly, she shall attend all mentions or hearings of the case. In default, her bond shall be cancelled and the surety called to account.
It is so ordered.
DATED, SIGNED and DELIVERED at MURANG’A this 22nd day of October 2019.
KANYI KIMONDO
JUDGE
Ruling read in open court in the presence of-
1st & 2nd accused.
Ms. Kimani for the accused.
Mr. Mutinda for the Republic.
Ms. Dorcas & Ms. Elizabeth, Court Clerks.