[2025] KEHC 4366 (KLR)
The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds to warrant a stay of the criminal proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020. The mere existence of a parallel probate and administration matter involving the same property does not automatically entitle the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2025] KEHC 4366 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Pascally Kimosbei Sirtui; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Eldoret
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application E235 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Stay of Proceedings
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- RN Nyakundi
- Legal Topics
- Stay of Criminal Proceedings, Probate and Administration, Land Disputes, Criminal Charges Related to Land
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Pascally Kimosbei Sirtui
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Ruling on Application for Stay of Proceedings
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 should be stayed pending the determination of Eldoret Probate and Administration No 95 of 2009.
- 2 Whether the applicant, as a beneficiary of the estate, is entitled to a stay of criminal proceedings involving property subject to probate litigation.
- 3 Whether the continuation of criminal proceedings would cause irreparable harm to the applicant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds to warrant a stay of the criminal proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020. The mere existence of a parallel probate and administration matter involving the same property does not automatically entitle the applicant to a stay of criminal proceedings. The applicant did not establish that proceeding with the criminal case would result in irreparable harm or injustice, nor that the prosecution was being misused to further a civil dispute. The court emphasized that the prosecution's mandate is to act in the public interest, and there was no evidence of abuse of process or exceptional...
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application for stay of proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 is dismissed.
- No order as to costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
17 paragraphs
Sirtui v Republic (Miscellaneous Criminal Application E235 of 2021) [2025] KEHC 4366 (KLR) (4 April 2025) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2025] KEHC 4366 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Eldoret
Miscellaneous Criminal Application E235 of 2021
RN Nyakundi, J
April 4, 2025
Between
Pascally Kimosbei Sirtui
Applicant
and
Republic
Prosecutor
Ruling
1. The Applicant in his notice of motion seeks the following orders:a.That this honourable court be pleased to order stay of proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 pending the hearing and determination of this application inter partiesb.That this Hon. Court be pleased to order stay of proceedings in the Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 pending the hearing and determination of Eldoret Probate And Administration No 95 of 2009 In the Matter of the Estate of the Late Kimeto Arap Kili Through Hellen Cheptum Kinenei & 3 Others vs Kiplagat Stephen Kitur.c.That costs of this application be in the cause and which application is heard on the following grounds:a.That the applicant is a beneficiary in eldoret probate & administraiton no 95 of 2009 in the matter of the estate of the late Kimeto Arap Kili through hellen cheptum kebenei & 3 othrs vs kiplagat stephen kitur which is pending determination.b.That the applicant in the will dated 17th January, 2007 of the Estate of the Late Kimeto Arap Kili was bequeathed Nandi/Mutwot/713. c.The said property Nandi/Mutwot/713 which the applicant was bequeathed is subject to the proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 and also the subject property in Eldoret Probate & Administration No 95 of 2009 Estate of The Late Kimeto Arap Kili thus similar as the applicant was bequeathed the said property in the will of the estate of Estate of The Late Kimeto Arap Kilid.That the alleged titles heave been cancelled by the High Court in Eldoret Probate & Administraiton No 95 of 2009 In The Matter Of The Estaste Of The Late Kimeto Arap Kili Through Hellen Cheptum Kebenei & 3 Others Vs Kiplatat Stephen Kiture.That the applicant will suffer irreparable harm if the suit in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 is not stayed pending hearing and determination of Probate & Administration No 95 of 2009 In The Matter Of The Estate Of The Late Kimeto Arap Kili Through Hellen Cheptum Kebenei & 3 Others Vs Kiplagat Stephen Kiturf.The ends of justice will be defeated if Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 891 of 2020 is allowed to proceed.g.The prosecution mandate is to act on public interest and not be a took to aid an existing limping civil case by the complainants.And Which Application is further grounded on the annexed affidavit of Pascaly Kimososbei Sirtui the Applicant herein and on such or further grounds as may be adduced at the hearing hereof :-a.That I am a farmer and having been charged with obtaining registration by false pretense contrary to section 320 of the penal code in Kapsabet Principla Magistrate Court Criminal Case No 30 of 2018 which was transferred to Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court As Criminal Case No 891 of 2020b.That I have read the contents of the complaint statement and believe that the facts of the statement are untrue. That the said land in question was legally transferred to me by my late father.c.That I am a beneficiary in Eldoret Probate & Administraiton No 95 Of 2009 In The Matter Of The Estate Of Trhe Late Kimet Arap Kili Through Hellen Cheptum Kebenei & 3 Others Bvs Kiplagat Stephen Kitur which is pending determinationd.That I confirm that in will dated 17. 1.2007 of the estate of the late Kimeto Arap Kili I was bequeathed Nandi/mutwo/713e.That I confirm that the property which I was bequeathed Nandi/Mutwot/713 is subject to the proceedings in Eldoret Chief the property in Eldoret Probate & Administration No 95 of 2009 Estate Of The Kimeto Arap Kili thus similar as the applicant was bequeathed the said property in the will of the estate of Estate Of The Late Kimeto Arap Kilif.That I will suffer irreparable harm if the proceedings in Eldoret Chief Magistrate Court Cr Case No 891 of 2020 is not stayed pending hearing and determination of Probatge & Administration No. 95 Of 2009 In The Matter Of The Estate Of The Late Kimeto Arap Kili Through Hellen Cheptum Kenei & 3 Others Vs Kiplagat Stephen Kiturg.That the ends of justice will be defeated if ELdoret Chief Magistrate Court Cr Case No 891 of 2020 is allowed to proceedh.That I confirm that the prosecutions mandate is to act on public interest and not be a tool to aid an existing limping civil case by the complainantsi.That is fair, just, expedient and in the interest of justice that this application be allowed and the orders be issuedj.That this application has been brought promptly and in utmost good faithk.That I swear this affidavit in support of the application now before this Honourable Court
2. I have considered the application, together with affidavit evidence. I am of the legal view that there is no merit to stay proceedings pending before the Chief Magistrate’s court. It is so ordered
GIVEN UNDER THE HAND AND SEAL of THIS COURT ON 4THDAY of APRIL 2025 AT ELDORET.…………………………………….R. NYAKUNDIJUDGE