[2018] KEHC 775 (KLR)
The court held that the applicant is constitutionally entitled to bail unless compelling reasons are shown by the State to warrant continued incarceration. The State conceded that no such compelling reasons exist in this case. The seriousness of the charge alone does not suffice to deny bail. The applicant...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 775 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Stephen Ngonde Ilai; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kitui
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 17 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
- Outcome
- bail granted
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Bail Pending Trial, Murder Charge, Compelling Reasons, Constitutional Rights
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Stephen Ngonde Ilai
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Bail Application / Ruling on Bail Pending Trial
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to bail pending trial for a charge of murder.
- 2 Whether there exist compelling reasons to deny the applicant bail.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the applicant is constitutionally entitled to bail unless compelling reasons are shown by the State to warrant continued incarceration. The State conceded that no such compelling reasons exist in this case. The seriousness of the charge alone does not suffice to deny bail. The applicant demonstrated sufficient ties to the jurisdiction and no evidence was presented to suggest he is a flight risk or would interfere with witnesses. Therefore, the applicant is granted bail on appropriate terms.
Court Disposition
bail granted
Orders
- The applicant is granted bond of Kshs. 500,000 with a surety in similar sum.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KITUI
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 17 OF 2018
STEPHEN NGONDE ILAI.................................................APPLICANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC........................................................................RESPONDENT
R U L I N G
1. Stephen Ngonde Ilaifaces a charge of Murdercontrary to Section 203as read with 204of the Penal Code (Cap 63) Laws of Kenya.On the 29thday of November, 2018he approached this Court by way of Notice of Motion seeking to be released on bail pending hearing and determination of the case.
2. The application is premised on the grounds that; the Applicant was apparently arraigned before Court on 27th June, 2018or thereafter and has been in custody since then; that the applicant has a home and relatives living and residing within the jurisdiction of this Court, hence not a flight risk; that there is nothing in the character antecedents, association and/or community ties in relation to the Accused that is prejudicial to his being admitted to bail bond pending finalization of the trial herein; that the nature of the offence and the trial may take time to conclude.
3. At the hearing Mr. D. M. Mutinda,learned Counsel for the Applicant urged that the Applicant is not a flight risk, he has family members who will ensure he turns up for trial and he has demonstrated that he is a person of character and good antecedents.
4. In response, Learned Counsel for the State,Mr. Mamba Vincent,told the Court that there were no compelling reasons to deter the Applicant from being released on bail but stated that the charge is serious.
5. Circumstances which a Court must consider whether or not to grant bail were set out in the case ofAlhaji Mujahid Dukubo – Asari vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria SC 20A/2006thus:
“- The nature of the offence.
- The strength of evidence which supports the charge.
- The gravity of the punishment in the event of conviction.
- The previous criminal record of the accused if any.
- The probability that the accused may not surrender himself for trial.
- The likelihood of the accused interfering with witnesses or may suppress any evidence that may incriminate him.
- Detention and protection of the accused…..” (Also see Republic vs. Danson Ngunyu & Another HCR.C No. 26 of 2008 – MSA).
6. A charge of murder is a serious one as it attracts upto a sentence of death. The Court however has the discretion to consider each case according to its circumstances. According to Article 49(1)(h)of the Constitution it is the Accused person’s constitutional right to be released on bail unless there are compelling reasons necessitating his incarceration. It is therefore the duty of the State to demonstrate that compelling reasons exist which call for denial of the Accused’s release on bail.
7. The learned State Counsel has confirmed that no compelling reasons exist where the Accused should continue being incarcerated.
8. That being the case, I hereby grant the Applicant bond of Kshs. 500,000/=with a surety in similar sum.
9. It is so ordered.
Dated, Signed and Deliveredat Kitui this 19thday of December,2018.
L. N. MUTENDE
JUDGE