[2017] KEHC 1208 (KLR)
The court found that the testimony of PW2, the minor who was grazing the cows, was credible and reliable. PW2 had known the appellant for three years and clearly identified him as one of the persons who took the cow by force. The court held that there was no evidence of mistaken identity and no malice was suggested...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEHC 1208 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Tom Simiyu Wekesa; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kitale
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 109 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed; conviction upheld; sentence revised to period served
- Judges
- HK Chemitei
- Legal Topics
- Stock Theft, Identification Evidence, Single Witness Testimony
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Tom Simiyu Wekesa
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the conviction based on the evidence of a single identifying witness was safe.
- 2 Whether the trial court erred in rejecting the appellant's defence.
- 3 Whether the sentence imposed was appropriate in the circumstances.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the testimony of PW2, the minor who was grazing the cows, was credible and reliable. PW2 had known the appellant for three years and clearly identified him as one of the persons who took the cow by force. The court held that there was no evidence of mistaken identity and no malice was suggested on the part of the witness. The discrepancies regarding the number and sex of the cows were not material to the central issue of whether the appellant participated in the theft. The appellant's unsworn defence did not address the core allegations and was not persuasive. Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal against conviction but, considering the period already served,...
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed; conviction upheld; sentence revised to period served
Orders
- The appeal is dismissed.
- The appellant shall be released forthwith unless lawfully held for another cause.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KITALE
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 109 OF 2015
(Being an appeal arising from conviction and sentence in Kitale Chief Magistrate’s Court Criminal Case No. 47 of 2015 delivered by P. Biwott Senior Principal Magistrate on 25/9/2015)
TOM SIMIYU WEKESA...........................................APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC.............................................................RESPONDENT
J U D G M E N T
1. The appellant was charged with the offence of Stealing Stock contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.The particulars of the offence was that on the 30th day of December 2014 at Kerita Farm, within Trans Nzoia County jointly with another not before court, stole one cow valued at Kshs 35,000/- the property of Patrick Wesonga Mang’oli.
2. The appellant was sentenced and convicted to serve 4 years imprisonment. He has appealed citing several grounds. I have read the written submissions both by the appellant and the Respondent.
3. The facts as presented in the trial are that PW1 the complainant had sent one Geoffrey to graze his cows which were 9 in number, 7 bulls and 2 cows. He apparently returned home with 8 of them and told him that the appellant and his co-accused had taken one by force. He reported the matter to the police. The appellant and his friend were arrested. They were his neighbours and had known them for over 5 years.
4. PW2 Geoffrey Paul Wanjala a class 6 pupil testified that he was looking after PW1’s cows at Kerita forest on 30th December 2014. They were 8 in all, 4 cows and 4 bulls. The appellant and his 2 accomplices through threats took away one cow. He reported and the suspect later arrested. He had known them for 3 years.
On cross-examination he said that he screamed but no one came to his rescue.
5. PW3 P.C. Amandi Saria of Endebess police post investigated the matter and re-arrested the appellant. He visited the scene and recorded statement from the witnesses.
6. In his unsworn defence the appellant denied the charge. He said that on the material day he had gone to the farm and was tendering his tomatoes and vegetables. He said that at 5 pm he went to the neighbours home where there was a party and the police officers came arresting people who were partaking of illicit alcohol. He was arrested and later charged with the offence.
Analysis and Determination.
7. In his grounds of appeal the appellant has pleaded for a retrial; that the Magistrate convicting with the evidence of a single witness and faulted the trial court for rejecting his defence.
8. Clearly the testimony of PW2 was the only material evidence in this matter. The young boy explained how 3 people forcefully took the cow away from him on the material day. Apparently he knew the appellant for the last 3 years. There is nothing new to indicate that there was mistaken identity. Although the age of the minor was not explained I do not find anything in cross-examination either by the appellant or his co-accused to suggest that he was not in a position to appreciate issues.
9. Although there was discrepancies on the sexes of the cows, the bottom line in my view is that the child saw the appellant take away the cow. He said that he was threatened with death if he tried resisting. In my view I do not find any reason to doubt the witness. There was nothing to suggest any malice on his part.
10. The appellant’s unsworn evidence does not touch on the issue of the cows. According to him he was implicated by one Paul Jabbroker. That he was arrested for he was found taking illicit brews. This line of defence was not tested in cross-examination. Its difficult therefore to rely on the same.
11. All in all I do not find the appeal meritorious. The same is dismissed. On the other hand I have considered the period served by the appellant in prison. I find that the same is sufficient punishment for the appellant. He shall therefore be released forthwith unless lawfully held.
Delivered, signed and dated this 11th day of December, 2017.
___________________
H.K. CHEMITEI
JUDGE
11/12/17
In the presence of;
M/S Kakoi for the Respodnent
Appellant – present
Court Assistant – Kirong/Silvia
Court: Judgment read in open court.