[2025] KEHC 4398 (KLR)
The court held that the sentence of ten years' imprisonment imposed on the applicant for attempted defilement was the statutory minimum under Section 9(2) of the Sexual Offences Act. The applicant did not appeal the conviction and only sought sentence review. The pre-sentence report indicated the applicant was not...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2025] KEHC 4398 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Peter Ochieng Waraya; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Siaya
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application E014 of 2025
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Sentence Review Application After Conviction and Sentencing
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Judges
- DK Kemei
- Legal Topics
- Sentencing Review, Sexual Offences, Minimum Sentences, Attempted Defilement, Judicial Discretion, Remorse and Mitigation
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Peter Ochieng Waraya
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Criminal Application / Sentence Review Application After Conviction and Sentencing
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the High Court should review and reduce the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years' imprisonment imposed for attempted defilement under the Sexual Offences Act.
- 2 Whether the applicant's personal circumstances and alleged remorse justify interference with the sentence imposed by the trial court.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the sentence of ten years' imprisonment imposed on the applicant for attempted defilement was the statutory minimum under Section 9(2) of the Sexual Offences Act. The applicant did not appeal the conviction and only sought sentence review. The pre-sentence report indicated the applicant was not remorseful and was unsuitable for a non-custodial sentence. The court found that the offence was serious, caused psychological trauma to the minor victim, and that deterrence was necessary given the prevalence of such offences in the area. The Supreme Court has affirmed the lawfulness of minimum sentences under the Sexual Offences Act. Therefore, the court was not persuaded to...
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application for sentence review is dismissed.
- The sentence of ten years' imprisonment imposed by the trial court shall stand and proceed from the date of conviction.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
Waraya v Republic (Miscellaneous Criminal Application E014 of 2025) [2025] KEHC 4398 (KLR) (8 April 2025) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2025] KEHC 4398 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Siaya
Miscellaneous Criminal Application E014 of 2025
DK Kemei, J
April 8, 2025
Between
Peter Ochieng Waraya
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. The Applicant herein has filed a Notice of Motion dated 17/1/2024 and filed on 17/1/2025 seeking for an order that this court reviews the sentence of10 years’ imprisonment imposed by the Lower Court vide Bondo Criminal Case No. 44/2022 to a less severe sentence. The application is supported by the Applicant’s affidavit sworn on even date.
2. The Applicant’s gravamen is inter alia; that he was arrested at the age of twenty-four (24) years; that he is the first born in a family of eight children without parents who have all died; that he is the sole bread winner for his family; that he is suffering from health complications which cannot be managed in prison; that he is remorseful.
3. The Respondent did not file a response to the application as the learned counsel indicated that he leaves the matter to the court to make orders as appropriate.
4. I have considered the Applicant’s application aforesaid and the averments in the affidavit in support. The issue for determination is whether the application has merit.
5. It is noted that the Applicant had been charged before Bondo Law Courts vide Criminal Case (S.O) No. E044/2022 for the offence of attempted defilement contrary to Section 9(1) as read with Section 9(2) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006. The particulars were that on the 22/9/2022 at about 1500hrs in [Particulars Withheld] village, Got Ramogi Sub Location, Bondo Sub-County willfully and unlawfully intentionally attempted to cause your penis to penetrate the vagina of L.A a child a aged 16 years.
6. The Applicant also faced an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child contrary to Section 11(1) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006. The particulars were that on 22/9/2022 at about 1500hrs in [Particulars Withheld] village, Got Ramogi Sub-Location, Bondo Sub-County within Siaya County willfully and unlawfully intentionally caused your finger to touch the vagina of L.A a child aged 16 years.
7. After a full trial wherein the Respondent called five(5) witnesses while the Applicant called three(3) witnesses, the Applicant was found guilty of the main count and sentenced to serve ten (10) years’ imprisonment.
8. It appears that the Applicant has opted not to lodge an appeal against both conviction and sentence but has decided to approach this court for a sentence review.
9. Under Section 9(2) of the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2006, a person who commits an offence of attempted defilement with a child is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than ten (10) years. I find this is the minimum sentence possible in law since an offender could as well be sentenced to periods of more than ten (10) years if circumstances permit. The fact that the Applicant has opted not to challenge his conviction, the impression given is that he is okay with it. The Applicant wants this court to interfere with the sentence. The trial court before imposing the sentence, had called for a pre - sentence report. The same was availed and which indicated that the Applicant was someone who is not remorseful and that his conduct in molesting the minor has not been taken well by the community. The report also indicated that there are rampant cases of sexual offences in the area. The report found him not suitable for non-custodial sentence. It is apparent that the action of the Applicant caused psychological trauma on the victim. The Applicant being an adult was expected to protect the complainant who was a minor but not to prey on her. The Applicant who was a neighbour of the victim, turned into a predator. This calls for deterrence sentence so as to curb the kind of offences which are rampant in the area. I am not persuaded to interfere with the sentence. The Supreme Court in Petition No. 18/2023 Republic versus Stephen Gichuki and Others [2023] eKLR held that the minimum sentences imposed under the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 0f 2006 remain lawful until the Act is amended or declared unconstitutional. Hence, the sentence imposed by the trial court is quite proper in all respects.
10. It is also noted that the Applicant had been released on bond and therefore no issue arises regarding the application of Section 333 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Hence, the sentence imposed shall proceed from the date of conviction.
11. In the result, it is my finding that the Applicant’s application aforesaid lacks merit. Same is dismissed.
DATED AND DELIVERED AT SIAYA THIS 8TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025. D. KEMEIJUDGEIn the presence of:Peter Ochieng Waraya...............ApplicantKofa..........................for RespondentOkumu.........................Court Assistant