[2022] KEHC 13212 (KLR)
The court found that the circumstances which led to the initial denial of bail—namely, the likelihood of interference with prosecution witnesses and concerns for the accused's safety—had not changed. The witnesses had not yet testified, and the threat of interference remained. The accused had not demonstrated any...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 13212 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Respondent: Isa Mohamud Wako (alias Guyo Mohamud Wako)
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 92 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Review Application
- Outcome
- bail review application dismissed; bail declined
- Judges
- EM Muriithi
- Legal Topics
- Bail Review, Witness Interference, Risk of Absconding, Changed Circumstances
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Isa Mohamud Wako (alias Guyo Mohamud Wako)
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Bail Review Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused is entitled to a review of the earlier denial of bail pending trial.
- 2 Whether there are changed circumstances justifying the grant of bail.
- 3 Whether the risk of interference with witnesses or absconding persists.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the circumstances which led to the initial denial of bail—namely, the likelihood of interference with prosecution witnesses and concerns for the accused's safety—had not changed. The witnesses had not yet testified, and the threat of interference remained. The accused had not demonstrated any change in the hostility of the community or other relevant circumstances. The court also noted the accused's lack of readiness to proceed with trial and the existence of concurrent trials, which increased the risk of absconding. Therefore, there remained compelling reasons to deny bail, and the application for review was dismissed.
Court Disposition
bail review application dismissed; bail declined
Orders
- The application for review of bail is dismissed.
- The accused shall remain in custody pending trial.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Republic v Wako (alias Guyo Mohamud Wako) (Criminal Case 92 of 2018) [2022] KEHC 13212 (KLR) (30 September 2022) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2022] KEHC 13212 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Meru
Criminal Case 92 of 2018
EM Muriithi, J
September 30, 2022
Between
Republic
Prosecutor
and
Isa Mohamud Wako
Accused
alias Guyo Mohamud Wako
Ruling
1. The accused was denied bail on 13/3/2019 on the two grounds of likelihood of interference with prosecution witnesses and the accused; safety not being guaranteed.
2. The accused has applied for review of bail by notice of motion dated 10/6/2022, supported by an affidavit in which he deponed that “even through my previous bond/bail application was rejected by this honourable court, the current circumstance at home and village have changed and I pray that I be granted bond pending the trial.”
3. Bail is opposed by the DPP through an affidavit of the Investigating Officer PC Maende Collins sworn on 15/7/2022, principally, on the grounds of the gravity of the offence and its heinousness, multiplicity of charges against the accused before this court and subordinate courts; likelihood of interference with witnesses and hostility of the ground raising the fear of retaliatory attack against the accuse; and that circumstances have not charged since refusal of bail.
4. The court agrees with the DPP that the circumstances obtaining at the time of refusal of bail in 2019 have not changed to warrant a review. The witnesses in this case have not been called to testify, and therefore the threat of interference still remains. On the record, it appears that despite readiness by the DPP to proceed with the witnesses the case has on two occasions on 4/10/2021, 1/2/22 -been adjourned for reason of the defence not being ready. The court observes that the accused has not been keen to proceed with her trial especially upon rejection of his plea bargain office by the DPP on 11/11/2021. In the circumstances, the bail review application appears calculated to secure the release of the accused from his trial, and the risk of absconding is real. There added impetus in the concurrent trials.
5. Accordingly, the court finding that there still exists compelling reason in the likehood of the accused interfering with witnesses and absconding; and there is no evidence of changed circumstances on the ground as regards the hostility of the community against the accused. Bail is declined.
DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2022. EDWARD M. MURIITHIJUDGEAPPEARANCES:Ms. Nandwa, Prosecution Counsel for the DPP.Mr. Kaimenyi Advocate for the Accused.