[2022] KEHC 13612 (KLR)
The court found that, although the accused was convicted of murder, the circumstances—including his youth, remorse, lack of prior criminal record, positive community and family support, and the recommendation of the probation officer—justified a non-custodial sentence. The court exercised its discretion, as...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEHC 13612 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic of Kenya; Defendant: Kevin Owuor Abith alias Opudo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Siaya
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case E002 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Sentence
- Outcome
- Convicted of murder; sentenced to three years probation with one year at Nairobi probation hostel for rehabilitation and counseling.
- Judges
- RE Aburili
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Sentencing, Mitigation, Probation, Rehabilitation
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic of Kenya
Applicant
Kevin Owuor Abith alias Opudo
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Sentence
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused should be sentenced to the mandatory death penalty for murder or a lesser sentence in light of mitigation and recent jurisprudence.
- 2 Whether the circumstances and mitigation justify a non-custodial sentence for the offence of murder.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that, although the accused was convicted of murder, the circumstances—including his youth, remorse, lack of prior criminal record, positive community and family support, and the recommendation of the probation officer—justified a non-custodial sentence. The court exercised its discretion, as permitted by the Supreme Court in Francis Muruatetu v Republic, to depart from the mandatory death penalty. The court determined that a probationary sentence with rehabilitation and counseling would best serve the interests of justice, the offender, and the community.
Court Disposition
Convicted of murder; sentenced to three years probation with one year at Nairobi probation hostel for rehabilitation and counseling.
Orders
- The convict Kevin Owuor Abith alias Opudo is sentenced to three (3) years probation, one of which shall be served at Nairobi probation hostel for rehabilitation and counseling.
- File closed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
State v Abith (Criminal Case E002 of 2021) [2022] KEHC 13612 (KLR) (19 September 2022) (Sentence)
Neutral citation: [2022] KEHC 13612 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Siaya
Criminal Case E002 of 2021
RE Aburili, J
September 19, 2022
Between
State
Prosecution
and
Kevin Owuor Abith alias Opudo
Accused
Sentence
1. The accused person herein is Kevin Owuor Abith alias Opudo. He is a young adult aged 22 years. He was charged with the Murder of his maternal uncle Willys Owuor Owuor. The Information dated January 1, 2021 is that on January January 6, 2021 of Uhwaya Village, Got Agulu sub location in West Yimbo Location in Bondo Sub county in Siaya county, he murdered Willys Owuor Owuor.
2. The accused denied the offence. The full trial took place and on the June 20, 2022, this court delivered judgement finding the accused person guilty of the murder of his uncle.
3. The accused person mitigated through his counsel on record and in his own words.
4. The court then called for a presentence report which was filed on August 23, 2022 by Rhoda Wanyonyi, senior probation officer, Bondo.
5. From the mitigation, the accused is a young adult. He was orphaned when he was very young and his maternal relatives took him in for guardianship as he was born out of wedlock. His mother died and left him at age three only and his maternal grandmother who raised him also died in 2018. He lived with his uncles until the murder incident. He is schooled up to Form Four.
6. The convict regrets fighting with his uncle and leaving him for dead. His uncle was disabled and on crutches.
7. The court found that being at night, the force exerted on the deceased by the convict was excessive in the circumstances to warrant an absolute self defence.
8. The maternal uncles who are surviving are forgiving of the convict herein and say that he was well behaved hence he needs to be given a chance to live in the community as they will assist him. He is a first offender. It is alleged now that the victim was a chaotic person who liked fighting with people.
9. The offender abused alcohol and the community believes that he can be counseled and rehabilitated on the same. The probation officer recommends a non-custodial sentence.
10. I have considered the circumstances under which the offence was committed, the mitigation and presentence report. I have also considered the age of the convict and the fact that he is remorseful and the attitude of the family of the victim and community at large towards him is positive meaning he can easily be readapted.
11. Punishment for murder is death under section 204 of the Penal Code. However, this is not mandatory sentence having regard to the principles espoused in the Francis Muruatetu v Republic (2017) eKLR case.
12. I have also considered the objects and purposes of sentencing as contained in theJudiciary Sentencing Policy Guidelines.
13. In my view, the convict merits non-custodial sentence to be reintegrated into the community which is willing to accommodate him because of his past good behavior save for the murder incident.
14. I exercise discretion and sentence the convict Kevin Owuor Abith alias Opudo to serve three (3) years probation, one of which he shall serve at Nairobi probation hostel, to be rehabilitated and counseled.
15. I so order.
16. File closed
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT SIAYA, THIS 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2022R.E. ABURILIJUDGE