[2019] KEHC 2191 (KLR)
The court found that the amicable settlement (Maslaha) reached between the families of the accused and the deceased, as evidenced by affidavits and minutes of elders, was not inconsistent with the Constitution or public policy. The court noted that all close relatives of the deceased supported the settlement, there...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2019] KEHC 2191 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Defendant: Yussuf Noor Yerrow
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Garissa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 2 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Discontinuance of Proceedings Due to Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Outcome
- proceedings discontinued, accused discharged and released
- Judges
- CM Kariuki
- Legal Topics
- Murder Charge, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Withdrawal of Proceedings
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Yussuf Noor Yerrow
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Discontinuance of Proceedings Due to Alternative Dispute Resolution
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should allow discontinuance of murder proceedings following an amicable settlement (Maslaha) between the families of the accused and the deceased.
- 2 Whether such settlement is consistent with the Constitution and public policy.
- 3 Whether the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) can discontinue criminal proceedings in light of reconciliation and unwillingness of witnesses to testify.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the amicable settlement (Maslaha) reached between the families of the accused and the deceased, as evidenced by affidavits and minutes of elders, was not inconsistent with the Constitution or public policy. The court noted that all close relatives of the deceased supported the settlement, there was no objection from the community or public, and the DPP had requested discontinuance of proceedings due to reconciliation and unwillingness of witnesses to testify. The court held that it is obliged to promote reconciliation under Article 159 of the Constitution and that the DPP is empowered to discontinue proceedings under Article 157(6). Accordingly, the court allowed the...
Court Disposition
proceedings discontinued, accused discharged and released
Orders
- The proceedings herein against accused for Murder be and are hereby discontinued.
- No witness having testified, the Accused person is hereby discharged and released forthwith unless otherwise lawfully held.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT GARISSA
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 2 OF 2019
REPUBLIC........................PROSECUTION
VERSUS
YUSSUF NOOR YERROW.......ACCUSED
RULING
1. The accused was charged with offence of murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63 Laws of Kenya). Particulars being that on 20/1/2019 in Bulla Iftin area in Garissa Sub-County, Garissa County murdered Hussein Ali Maliyu.
2. He pleaded not guilty on 19/2/2019 and matter was fixed for hearing on 7/5/2019.
3. The matter never proceeded as the Judge was bereaved and thus on compassionate leave.
4. The matter came again to court on 13/6/2019 when the defence indicated that parties were pursuing a diversion mode of resolving the dispute.
5. The matter came again on 25/9/2019. The parties indicated that there was progress in the process and thus sought more time and thus was fixed for mention on 4/11/2019.
6. On 4/11/2019 the matter was given another date the 18/11/2019. On 18/11/2019 the parties indicated that the communities and family members from both sides had resolved mater via ADR commonly referred to as Maslaha.
7. This was confirmed by the affidavits sworn by the wife of the deceased person sworn on 7/11/2019 by Zaitun Salim Abale.
8. Further there is an affidavit by Mwanamisi Dara Guyo mother of the deceased via her affidavit sworn on 7/11/2019. She confirms the same element of the ADR. Finally, the other affidavit on record is one of Ali Maliyu Babuya father of the deceased. He confirms what the deceased’s wife and his own wife have deponed to.
9. The minutes of 6/11/2019 of the elders of the deceased’s family side and accused family side have also confirmed that all the families concerned and the communities’ members were agreed on settlement for good of peace and harmony of the both sides and wider interest of the society.
10. In the circumstances of this case, I find the settlement agreement in the minutes aforestated is not inconsistent with the spirit and purposes of Article 159(2) and (3) of the Constitution of Kenya. I am not also aware of any written or international convention that prohibits the amicable settlement proposed. Am also guided by the following authorities Garissa HCCR. No. 2/2016 Republic vs. Musili Ivia & Another which relied on NRB HCCR. 86/2011 Republic vs. Mohammed Abdanas well. Other matters Garissa HCCR. 36/2012 Republic vs Omar, and Republic vs Margaret Mwende Kweta
11. The victim is already dead and close relatives agree to settlement. I have not been told that there is any objection from the community or public at large. I will therefore accord the both sides settlement consideration in this matter under Article 157 (6) Constitution of Kenya.
12. The DPP requested to discontinue criminal proceedings subject to the permission of the court. He has asked for such discontinuance of the criminal proceedings on above settlement. He said all parties and witnesses are part of the scheme of settlement and all relatives are part and parcel of the reconciliation.
13. The DPP has also stated that due to the aforesaid reconciliation the witnesses are not willing to testify. The court takes judicial notice that to find witnesses who have been part of reconciliation to come to court would be adaunting task of bringing them to court to testify against accused in my considered view.
14. In my considered view this court is obliged to promote reconciliation as requested and thus allow the request of the DPP and order:
i. The proceedings herein against accused for Murder be and are hereby discontinued.
ii. No witness has testified, the Accused person is hereby discharged and released forthwith unless otherwise lawfully held.
DATED, DELIVERED AND SIGNED AT GARISSA THIS 19TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2019.
.......................
C. KARIUKI
JUDGE