1. By way of Petition dated 13th June 2022, the Petitioners seek the following orders;
a) A declaration that the Respondents violated the 1st Petitioners Constitutional rights contrary to Article 21, 25(a), 26(3), 49(1) (q), 50(2) (a) and 51(1) and (3) (a) of the Constitution.
b) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights by trying to compel her to enter into an illegal agreement/ confession contrary to Article 49(1) (d) of the Constitution of Kenya.
c) A declaration that the Respondents violated the 2nd Petitioner’s rights contrary to Article 53 (1) (d) of the Constitution.
d) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights by granting her unreasonable bond terms and treating her as “guilty till proven innocent” contrary to Article 49(1) (g) and 50 (2)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya.
e) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights by unlawfully retaining her National ID Card No. 20519671 to date.
f) A declaration that the Respondent violated the 1st Petitioner’s right and held her incommunicado contrary to Article 49(1) (c) of the Constitution
g) A declaration that the Respondents violated the 1st and 2nd Petitioners’ rights to be treated with dignity respected and protected contrary to Article 28 of Constitution.
h) A declaration that the Respondents conspired in an attempt to deny the 1st and 2nd Petitioners access to Justice contrary to Article 48 of the Constitution.
i) A declaration that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents are vicariously liable for the omissions and commissions of the state officers under their supervision and should be held liable in damages, for violation of their fundamental rights and freedoms contrary to Article 21 of the Constitution of Kenya.
j) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s right by unlawfully retaining her National ID Card to date contrary to Article 12(1), 9(b) and (2) of the Constitution.
k) An order for General and Special damages for the 1st and 2nd Petitioners by the Respondents jointly and severally.
l) Exemplary damages for 1st and 2nd Petitioners.
m) Release of the 1st Petitioner’s original National Identification Card No. 20519671 for surrender to the National Bureau on Registration of persons.
n) Costs of this suit
o) Interest on (k), (I) and (n) above.
p) Any such other orders as this honourable court shall deem just to grant.
The Petition
2. The Petitioner filed the Petition, notably without the Supporting Affidavit.
3. The brief facts underlying the Petition is that the Petitioners, mother and daughter, contend that on or about 14th June 2021 the 1st Petitioner was going about her duties as a village elder. At around 12 noon or thereabouts, she was with one Kennedy at Kerio Valley Development Authority Building waiting for a lady whom Kennedy had introduced to her earlier and who needed to be shown the Office of the Registrar of Marriages (ORM). On arrival of the said lady, some ladies and gentlemen in civilian clothes accompanied her and arrested the 1st Petitioner and Kennedy, and frog marched them to a waiting motor vehicle labelling them as “conman” and “conwoman”.
4. She later learnt that they were Police Officers in plain clothes from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Eldoret East, where the motor vehicle was driven to. When she tried to enquire whether it was a case of mistaken identity, she was slapped by the 5th respondent and told to shut up. The petitioner contend that this was the start of a long interrogation where it emerged that the said Kennedy and another person had obtained Kshs. 250,000/- from a complainant. She mentioned this to the 1st Petitioner since it was Kennedy who introduced the lady in question to the 1st Petitioner.
5. The petitioners contend that during the interrogation, the 5th and 6th Respondents mistreated her and took her to an inner chamber where they produced a pliers and pinched her continuously on the back with it while compelling her to admit the allegation causing her a lot of physical injury and psychological trauma, but she maintained her innocence. Further, that the said officers asked for her SIM CARD and M-PESA PIN Number and unlawfully obtained her data and information from the provider without her consent, but through threats of further harm. That despite the Safaricom M-pesa data showing she had not received any monies from the complainant or Kennedy, the said Police Officers continued to hold her unlawfully and even ensured she was placed in the cells at Eldoret Police Station for one night in a bid to break her down and compel her to accept the accusation.
6. The Petitioners averred that when the 2nd Petitioner, aged 17 years then, visited her mother on 14/6/2021 after learning of her arrest, the 5th Respondent slapped her on the face and chased her away while calling her names and even pushed her against a chair where she sustained injuries on her left leg and was scared and traumatized. Further, that the 6th Respondent further threatened to shoot the 1st Petitioner with a pistol that was visible in her open drawer if she continued being stubborn or tried to flee. She urged that thus threat against her life was a violation of the right to life.
7. The Petitioners averred that, the said investigators obtained the services of an Advocate by the name “Wainaina” to compel the Petitioner to write an agreement under duress on repayment to the complainant. That the investigators further insulted the Petitioner and that Kennedy then entered into an agreement for repayment since he admitted liability. The Petitioners averred that the DCIO placed bond terms of an unreasonable amount of Kshs. 50,000 cash bail which the Petitioner could not afford. It took the efforts of the 2nd Petitioner who appealed to a higher authority within the station to have the 1st Petitioner released on a cash bail of Kshs. 10,000.
8. The Petitioners contended that the said investigators, before releasing her on bond confiscated her National Identification Card No. 20519671 and have retained it to date. That she underwent a lot of stress and loss in transacting her day to day business especially and suffered further until she decided to obtain a new National Identification card. That upon the release of the 1st Petitioner, the petitioners attended Hospital and reported the torture they had gone through at the hands of the Police Officers to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (1POA) -Eldoret office. They further stated that when the 1st petitioner reported back to the DCIO as ordered on 22/06/2021, 10/07/2021 and finally on 14/07/2021, the 4th to 6th Respondents continued to traumatize her emotionally and psychologically for reporting their misdeeds to IPOA. That the 6th Petitioner outrightly told her she will only compensate her when on a wheelchair.
9. The Petitioners urged that they reported the assault to the OCS Eldoret Central Police Station vide O/B No’s 80/22/6/2021 and No. 101/22/6/2021 and were issued with P3 forms for filling at the Uasin Gishu County Hospital. They were escorted on 23/06/2021 by one PC (W) Chelimo who talked to the Clinical officer, the 7th respondent who turned hostile towards the Petitioners. He demanded an illegal fee of Kshs. 1000 from them and it was not until 1/7/2021 that they were able to raise the amount.
10. Further, that on the said date PC Chelimo insisted on escorting them. They contended that the 7th Respondent treated the Petitioners without dignity and respect which is unconstitutional and additionally, conspired with the 4th-6th Respondents to attempt and defeat justice for the Petitioners which is an illegal act by a Public Officer and breach of Medical Professional Ethics.
11. The Petitioners further raised a complaint with IPOA again and the Medical Officer of Health, Uasin Gishu County Hospital who supervises the 7th Respondent and requested for a second opinion on the filling of fresh P3 Forms by an impartial Clinical Officer. The IPOA and the Medical Officer of Health were able to avail fresh P3 Forms for the Petitioners which were subsequently filled by the Medical Superintendents at Huruma and Pioneer Health Centres on 26/7/2021 and 3/8/2021 respectively.
12. The Petitioners laid down the particulars of the violations, urging that Respondents wrongly arrested the 1st Petitioner, and wrongfully held her in Police custody and deprived her of her liberty for over 24 hours, after exposing her to torture, cruel, in humane and degrading treatment and holding her incommunicado from her family and lawyer contrary to Article 49 of the Constitution. Further, that the 4th - 6th Respondents arrested and held the 1st Petitioner in custody without informing her clearly on what the charge was for which she was being arrested, except on her cash bail receipt which indicated “obtaining” which does not exist in the penal code.
13. No section of the law was quoted as required by Article 49(1) (a) (i) of the Constitution. They averred that the 4th - 6th Respondents, during interrogation threatened the 1st Petitioner’s life contrary to Article 26(1) and (3) of the Constitution. Further, that the 4th - 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights in attempting to compel her to enter into an illegal agreement/ confession contrary to Article 49(1) (d) of the Constitution of Kenya.
14. The petitioners averred that the 4th – 6th Respondents acted unlawfully towards the 2nd Petitioner by treating her with cruelty and inhumanly contrary to Article 53(1) of the Constitution yet she was just a child hence causing her trauma. Further, that the 4th – 6th Respondents wronged the 1st Petitioner by confiscating her National ID Card illegally contrary to Article 121(1) (b) and (2) of the Constitution of Kenya. That the 4th – 7th Respondents acted illegally by colluding and conspiring to defeat justice by interfering with their Police Medical report form (P3s) and collecting an unlawful levy of Kshs 2,000/- and not issuing a valid receipt.
15. The Petitioners listed the particulars of injuries as follows for the 1st Petitioner; Severe Psychological Trauma/Depression; Blunt injury to the left ear; Blunt injury to the face; Bruises to the right upper scapular area; Blunt injury to both upper limbs. Further they listed the Particulars of injuries for 2nd petitioner as; Severe psychological trauma/depression; Blunt injury to the head; Blunt injury to the face; Blunt injury to the left thigh.
16. The petitioners also set out the Particulars of special damages as follows;
1) Kshs 2000/- for filling two P3 Forms for 1st and 2nd Petitioners
2) Doctor’s consultation fees Kshs 6,000/- x 2= Kshs 12,000/-
3) Doctors court attendance fees Kshs 5,000/- X 2= 10,000/- for 2 doctors)
Urgent medical intervention costs
1) Psychological counselling and psychiatric treatment for 1st and 2nd Petitioners at approximately Kshs 200,000/- each totalling to Kshs 400,000/-
17. The Petitioners additionally claimed exemplary damages and urged the court to allow the prayers sought. The court needs to point out that even though the Petitioner’s in their Supplementary and further Affidavit referred to depositions made by the Respondents in a Replying Affidavit, despite the court’s diligent efforts to trace the said Replying Affidavit in the court file after it retired to prepare this judgement, the same could not be traced. It is therefore highly probable in the circumstances that the same could have been served upon the Petitioners but not filed
18. However, the court notes that the depositions that were therein raised were not only reiterated in the submissions filed on behalf of the Respondents by their Counsel, but were also referred to by the Petitioner’s in their further depositions and in the interest of justice and for purposes of the expeditious disposal of this case, the court will rely on the what is on record as referenced to the said Replying Affidavit in reaching its determination
Petitioners’ Supplementary Affidavit
19. The 1st Petitioner filed a Supplementary Affidavit dated 5th April 2023. She deponed that she had the authority to deponed on behalf of the 2nd Petitioner. She averred that in response to paragraph 3 of the Respondents’ Replying Affidavit, the Constitutional Petition is lawful and properly before this Court as provided by the constitution of Kenya (Protection of Rights and Fundamental freedoms) Practices and Procedure Rules and not a waste of judicial time as alleged by the respondent.
20. Further, that the annexed documents to the said Petition are nothing but the truth, and sources clearly indicated as will be further proved during the hearing of this Petition contrary to the allegations of the respondent. She deponed that in response to the Paragraph 6 of the Replying Affidavit the respondent has no right to speak for 3rd or 7th respondents as counsel served both respondents and further, that the respondent inquired of the 3rd respondent for instructions to defend them as per the annexure RJM-1 but neither they nor the 7th respondent filed any memorandum of appearances or objections in court. She urged the court to expunge the said paragraph.
21. She urged that the said 4th – 6th respondents labelled them 'conman' and conwoman' as rightly admitted in paragraph 10 of her Replying Affidavit, which was unlawful and derogatory. Further, that obtaining money by false pretences was never recorded on her cash bail receipt at all as per annexure 6 to the petition, clearly showing she was arrested for a specified offence under the law, contrary to article 49{a} of the constitution. She additionally stated that paragraph 12 of the Replying Affidavit is contradictory to paragraph 10. She reiterated the contents of the petition and urged that the OCS was reluctant to record their complaints in the occurrence Book hence the general details on Part 1 of their P3 forms Exh. 11 and Exh. 12- to the Petition.
22. With regard to non-recording in the Occurrence book upon release on 15/5/2021, annexure "FK1 to the replying affidavit she averred that she was never asked about any complaint she may have heard. In response to Paragraph 29 and 30 of the said Replying Affidavit, she urged that she was not privy to the statements recorded by witnesses and the investigations are still ongoing with the said independent body (1POA), referring to annexure RJM-2 and urging that the 4th – 6th respondents have no right at all to have the said statements or make conclusions at all. She further deponed that Kennedy Murage, her co-suspect, had been compromised by the 4th – 6th Respondents and he turned against them after they filed a report to IPOA.
23. She deponed further, that their complaints are truthful, genuine, bonafide and sustainable in law. She reiterated that her identity card was confiscated and urged that the Replying affidavit should be dismissed.
Petitioners’ Supplementary Affidavit
24. Counsel for the Petitioners filed a supplementary affidavit dated 9th October 2023. She deponed that on 26th September 2023, she was granted leave by the deputy registrar, HON. Rosemary S C ONKOBA to file this Supplementary Affidavit. Further, that she swore the Affidavit in further response to the Replying Affidavit sworn by Corporal Florence Kameri on 22nd March 2023. She averred that the Supplementary Affidavit reinforces the 1st Petitioner’s Supplementary Affidavit sworn on 5th April 2023 and filed and served on the same day.
25. The deponent averred that the criminal investigations were ongoing in the complaint the Petitioners had filed with the IPOA who forwarded their findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and who finally gave consent to charge the 5th and 6th Respondents herein with Assault causing actual bodily harm to the Petitioners. She referred the court to annexures marked as M.C.C.-l (a.) and l (b.) 6. Additionally, that the parties were granted a chance to pursue an out-of-court settlement via the ODPP guidelines on Diversion, and the Principal Prosecuting Counsel, Uasin Gishu County, invited the 5th & 6th Respondents and 1st & 2nd Petitioners for a Diversion Meeting on 22/9/2023.
26. She referred the court to the annexure marked as MCCC (2). She urged that the parties had their first meeting on 22/9/2023 at the office of the ODPP Prosecutions Office in Uasin Gishu but the 5th and 6th Respondents stonewalled by adamantly refusing to compensate the petitioner adequately, although they apologised for violating the Petitioners’ Rights. She referred the court to annexure MCC (3) in this regard. She further stated that the complaints against the 4th and 7th Respondents are still pending before the OCS Eldoret Police station and she has raised concerns with the authorities on the expediting of the criminal investigations. She referred to annexures marked as MCC 4(a) and 4(b) in this regard.
Petitioners’ Submissions
27. Counsel for the petitioner laid down the details pertaining to the petition including a summary of the pleadings and the responses thereto. She then went into the issues for determination and urged that there were two issues as follows;
1) Whether the Petitioners have proved 100% on a balance of probability that their Constitutional Rights as per Paragraph 30 of their Petition were violated by the respondents, jointly and severally and
2) Whether the Petitioners are entitled to the orders and damages sought in their Petition.
28. Counsel cited the case of Michael Rotich Vs Republic [2016] eKLR and the Indian Supreme Court Case, Neeru Yadar VS State of U.P & Another Criminal Appeal NO. 2587 of 2014 on the duty of the court and the right to liberty. She urged that the 1st Petitioner was clearly arrested in a primitive manner and frog-marched to Eldoret DCI Office where her Liberty was taken away unlawfully, for over 24hrs.
29. However, even if the case was still pending under investigation the respondents should have given her favourable bond terms and further, that granting her bond terms beyond her ability, without compelling reasons, yet Kennedy had accepted to refund the complainants money was a gross violation of the 1st Petitioners' right to liberty. It shows clearly that the respondents did not care to apply the guidelines to Bail/Bond as provided by the National Council on the Administration of Justice, the provisions of which she reproduced. Further, that the Police Officers being the 4h – 6th Respondents violated the law.
30. Counsel cited Article 29 of the Constitution and urged that the 1st Petitioner has placed evidence before this Court to confirm she was arbitrarily arrested, by the 5th and 6th Respondents who did not even identify themselves, and upon inquiring if there was mistaken identity, the said 5th and 6th Respondents herein, started torturing her through slaps, pinching her with pliers and verbal insults, causing her untold trauma.
31. She urged that the 2nd Petitioner, arriving to plead her mother's (1st Petitioner's) cause, was slapped, pushed against a chair, insulted and threatened with dire consequences if she did not leave the station. The 1st Petitioner was neither allowed to call her Advocate nor family member and only managed to call the 2nd Petitioner by chance. She urged that Article 49 of the Constitution protects the rights of arrested persons and referred to sub article (1) (c) specifically. She stated that from the 1st Petitioners’ statements, it is clear the respondents intended to hold her incommunicado, against the law.
32. The Petitioners have clearly explained the trauma they went through not only in the hands of the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents, but also at the hands of their fellow conspirator the 7th Respondent, a clinical Officer, employed at the Uasin-Gishu County Hospital. She reproduced the facts pertaining to this allegation as stated in the petition and urged the Court to ignore the irrelevant averments in the Replying Affidavit of the 5th Respondent in a bid to sanitize their violations against the Petitioners.
33. Further, that by the time of writing these submissions, the Petitioners' advocate, had been served with a copy of the Charge sheet and summons to attend Court for "Plea" on 8th April 2024 and also served on the 5th and 6th Respondents in Eldoret CM.CR Case NO. MCCR NO. E664/24 wherein the 1st and 2nd Petitioners are the complainants. She urged that this proves on a balance of Probability 100% that the respondents are liable for violating the Petitioners Constitutional and Human Rights and should therefore take full responsibility.
34. On whether the petitioners are entitled to the orders and damages, Article 22 of the Constitution allows any person who feels their fundamental freedoms and rights have been violated to institute Court proceedings. Hence, these proceedings are properly before this Constitutional Court and the 1st Petitioner has rightly brought this Petition on behalf of herself and her daughter, the 2nd Petitioner who was a minor at the time her rights were violated. The violation complained of was carried out in the same transaction, time and place and would be a waste of Courts time and resources to file a multiplicity of Petitions for a same cause by a same class of persons.
35. Counsel cited Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which provides: -
9 (5) "Anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation"
36. Further, that this is also respected under our Kenyan Constitution at Article 2 (5) which provides: -
"The General rules of International law shall form part of the law of Kenya"
6). Any treaty or convention ratified by Kenya shall form part of the law of Kenya under the Constitution.
37. Counsel urged that the 1st Petitioner's rights against arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention were violated contrary to Article 29 (1) of the Constitution and she ought to be compensated. She cited the case of Kajiado High Court Constitutional Petition No. 14 of 2017-Mohammed Faisal and 19 others VS Henry Kandie, Chief Inspector of Police Station (OCS) Ongata Rongai Police Station and 7 others in this regard. She urged the Court to find that the Petitioners have proved their Petition on a balance of probability at the ratio of 100% against the Respondents jointly and severally and award them Damages as guided by the law and legal precedents.
38. She additionally placed reliance on the case of Daniel Waweru Njoroge & 17 Others VS Attorney General Civil Appeal No. 89 of 2010 [2015] eKLR. She urged the Court to be guided by the unique facts of the Petition at hand, the Physical, emotional and psychological injuries suffered by the 1st & 2nd Petitioners, the injury to the character and reputation of the 1st Petitioner who is a respectable Village Elder also serving as such within the Eldoret Police Station area.
39. With regard to general damages for violation of petitioners rights she referred the court to the decision above, pointing out that the judge proceeded to award the 1st to 19th Petitioners, Kshs. 100,000/= (One Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) in General Damages and a similar amount in Exemplary Damages amounting to Kshs 200,000/= (Two Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) each. That however this was in the year 2017 and she proposed an award of Kshs. 400,000/= (Four Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) for each and Kshs.800.000/= (Eight Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) for both Petitioners.
40. She urged that the 1st Petitioner suffered soft tissue injuries at the hands of the respondents namely: - a) Blunt Injury to the left ear; b) Blunt Injury to the face; c) Blunt injury to the right upper scapular area d) Blunt Injury to both upper limbs. She proposed an award of Kshs. 350,000/= in general damages for Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenities, in view of the current inflation rates, high cost of living and the dropping value of the Kenyan Shilling, vis-a-vis, the American Dollar globally.
41. She placed reliance on Poa Link Services Company Limited & Another Vs Sin Dand Boaz Bonzemo HCCA NO 17 OF 2019 wherein Riechi J. upheld general damages of KSH 350, 000/= in this regard. She additionally stated that the 2nd Petitioner also suffered soft tissue injuries, at the hands of the Respondents namely: -a) Blunt injury to the head b) Blunt injury to the face c) Blunt injury to left thigh. She suggested a modest award of Kshs. 300,000/=in general damages for Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenities. She relied on the Authority of Anthony Nyamwaya- (Appellant) VS Jackline Moraa Nyandemo-(Respondent), Nyamira High Court Civil Appeal NO. E046 OF 2021 in this regard.
42. On Special Damages, she urged that the Petitioners have proved expenditure of Kshs. 6000/= (Six Thousand Shillings Only) each for preparation of the Medical Report by Dr. Sokobe, totalling KSH12, 000 (Two Thousand Shillings Only). That they also paid Ksh 1000/= (0ne Thousand Shillings Only) each illegally to the 7th Respondent amounting to Ksh 2000/= (Two Thousand Shillings Only) each in total. They also paid KSH 50/= (Fifty Shillings Only) each at Uasin Gishu County Hospital totalling KSH100/-. She urged that the total Special Damages were Kshs. 14,010/=. According to Dr. Sokobe, both the 1st and 2nd Petitioners suffered Severe Psychological trauma/Depression and need urgent Medical intervention for Psychological Counselling and Psychiatric treatment costing approximately Kshs. 200,000/= each totalling Kshs. 400,000/- each.
43. Counsel submitted that they further pray that the 5th Respondent be ordered to search for and return the 1st Petitioners' Original National Identification Card NO. 20519571, to her for surrender to the department of Registration of Persons for safekeeping. She urged the court to allow the Petition as prayed.
Respondents’ Submissions
44. On whether the petition is defective having not been supported by an affidavit, counsel pointed out that the petitioner filed petition dated 13th June, 2022 alongside an authority to act, list of witnesses and list of documents. There is no Supporting Affidavit in support of factual allegations set out in the petition against the respondents and properly introduce into the record of the court the documents or evidence upon which the petitioners rely on. She urged that the petition is fatally defective, as the allegations set out are without a sworn affidavit from the petitioner but are merely statements that cannot be relied in court as testimony. Admitting into evidence the allegations set out will tantamount to accepting evidence presented from the bar by counsel for the petitioner.
45. Counsel submitted that the Constitution of Kenya {Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) Practice and Procedure Rules, 2013 rule 11 thereof provides as follows:
“ (1) the petition filed under these rules may be supported by an affidavit (2) if a party wishes to rely on any document, the document shall be annexed to the supporting affidavit or the petition where there is no supporting affidavit"
46. In addition to the above provisions, the rules of evidence are clear. Evidence can only be brought to court through sworn statements by the parties. She placed reliance on the case of Maureen Nyambura Ngigi Warui v Board of Directors, Kenya Power & Lighting Company limited & 2 others F2020] eKLR wherein Justice Maureen Odero struck out a petition in similar circumstances. She urged that the petitioners filed supplementary affidavits in response to the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th respondents’ Replying Affidavit. The affidavit clearly just responds to the facts raised In the Replying affidavit. It does not breathe life to the allegations or documents filed alongside the petition. She maintained that such omission is fatal to the petition and the same ought to be struck out.
47. On whether the petition meets the threshold set out in the case of Anarita Karimi Counsel urged that the Constitution of Kenya Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Practice and Procedure Rules 2013 (“Mutunga Rules”) lays down the procedure to move the court in a constitutional petition. That Rule 10 of the Rules provides thus:
“The petition shall disclose the petitioner’s name and address; the facts relied upon; the constitutional provision violated; the nature of injury caused or likely to be caused to the petitioner or the person in whose name the petitioner has instituted the suit; the petition shall be signed by the petitioner or the advocate of the petitioner; and the relief sought by the petitioner.”
48. She urged that the principles of drafting a constitutional petition were well established in the court in the case of Anarita Karimi Njeru vs Attorney General (1979) KLR 154/ (1976-1980) KLR 1272) and further, that in Mumo Matemu vs Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance and 5 Others (2013) eKLR, the Court of Appeal drove home the import of the principle as to the precision in constitutional litigation and had the following to say:
Procedure is also a handmaiden of just determination of cases. Cases cannot be dealt with justly unless the parties and the court know the issues in controversy... The principle in Anarita Karimi Njeru that established the rule that requires reasonable precision in framing of issues is constitutional petitions is an extension of this principle.”
49. Counsel submitted that it therefore follows that a matter falls within the confines of a constitutional petition only if; a. It raises constitutional issues and questions for determination by the court; b. It outlines the constitutional provisions violated; c. It outlines the nature of injury caused or is likely to be caused to the petitioner; d. It is drafted with sufficient
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a) A declaration that the Respondents violated the 1st Petitioners Constitutional rights contrary to Article 21, 25(a), 26(3), 49(1) (q), 50(2) (a) and 51(1) and (3) (a) of the Constitution.
b) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights by trying to compel her to enter into an illegal agreement/ confession contrary to Article 49(1) (d) of the Constitution of Kenya.
c) A declaration that the Respondents violated the 2nd Petitioner’s rights contrary to Article 53 (1) (d) of the Constitution.
d) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights by granting her unreasonable bond terms and treating her as “guilty till proven innocent” contrary to Article 49(1) (g) and 50 (2)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya.
e) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights by unlawfully retaining her National ID Card No. 20519671 to date.
f) A declaration that the Respondent violated the 1st Petitioner’s right and held her incommunicado contrary to Article 49(1) (c) of the Constitution
g) A declaration that the Respondents violated the 1st and 2nd Petitioners’ rights to be treated with dignity respected and protected contrary to Article 28 of Constitution.
h) A declaration that the Respondents conspired in an attempt to deny the 1st and 2nd Petitioners access to Justice contrary to Article 48 of the Constitution.
i) A declaration that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents are vicariously liable for the omissions and commissions of the state officers under their supervision and should be held liable in damages, for violation of their fundamental rights and freedoms contrary to Article 21 of the Constitution of Kenya.
j) A declaration that the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s right by unlawfully retaining her National ID Card to date contrary to Article 12(1), 9(b) and (2) of the Constitution.
k) An order for General and Special damages for the 1st and 2nd Petitioners by the Respondents jointly and severally.
l) Exemplary damages for 1st and 2nd Petitioners.
m) Release of the 1st Petitioner’s original National Identification Card No. 20519671 for surrender to the National Bureau on Registration of persons.
n) Costs of this suit
o) Interest on (k), (I) and (n) above.
p) Any such other orders as this honourable court shall deem just to grant.
The Petition
2. The Petitioner filed the Petition, notably without the Supporting Affidavit.
3. The brief facts underlying the Petition is that the Petitioners, mother and daughter, contend that on or about 14th June 2021 the 1st Petitioner was going about her duties as a village elder. At around 12 noon or thereabouts, she was with one Kennedy at Kerio Valley Development Authority Building waiting for a lady whom Kennedy had introduced to her earlier and who needed to be shown the Office of the Registrar of Marriages (ORM). On arrival of the said lady, some ladies and gentlemen in civilian clothes accompanied her and arrested the 1st Petitioner and Kennedy, and frog marched them to a waiting motor vehicle labelling them as “conman” and “conwoman”.
4. She later learnt that they were Police Officers in plain clothes from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Eldoret East, where the motor vehicle was driven to. When she tried to enquire whether it was a case of mistaken identity, she was slapped by the 5th respondent and told to shut up. The petitioner contend that this was the start of a long interrogation where it emerged that the said Kennedy and another person had obtained Kshs. 250,000/- from a complainant. She mentioned this to the 1st Petitioner since it was Kennedy who introduced the lady in question to the 1st Petitioner.
5. The petitioners contend that during the interrogation, the 5th and 6th Respondents mistreated her and took her to an inner chamber where they produced a pliers and pinched her continuously on the back with it while compelling her to admit the allegation causing her a lot of physical injury and psychological trauma, but she maintained her innocence. Further, that the said officers asked for her SIM CARD and M-PESA PIN Number and unlawfully obtained her data and information from the provider without her consent, but through threats of further harm. That despite the Safaricom M-pesa data showing she had not received any monies from the complainant or Kennedy, the said Police Officers continued to hold her unlawfully and even ensured she was placed in the cells at Eldoret Police Station for one night in a bid to break her down and compel her to accept the accusation.
6. The Petitioners averred that when the 2nd Petitioner, aged 17 years then, visited her mother on 14/6/2021 after learning of her arrest, the 5th Respondent slapped her on the face and chased her away while calling her names and even pushed her against a chair where she sustained injuries on her left leg and was scared and traumatized. Further, that the 6th Respondent further threatened to shoot the 1st Petitioner with a pistol that was visible in her open drawer if she continued being stubborn or tried to flee. She urged that thus threat against her life was a violation of the right to life.
7. The Petitioners averred that, the said investigators obtained the services of an Advocate by the name “Wainaina” to compel the Petitioner to write an agreement under duress on repayment to the complainant. That the investigators further insulted the Petitioner and that Kennedy then entered into an agreement for repayment since he admitted liability. The Petitioners averred that the DCIO placed bond terms of an unreasonable amount of Kshs. 50,000 cash bail which the Petitioner could not afford. It took the efforts of the 2nd Petitioner who appealed to a higher authority within the station to have the 1st Petitioner released on a cash bail of Kshs. 10,000.
8. The Petitioners contended that the said investigators, before releasing her on bond confiscated her National Identification Card No. 20519671 and have retained it to date. That she underwent a lot of stress and loss in transacting her day to day business especially and suffered further until she decided to obtain a new National Identification card. That upon the release of the 1st Petitioner, the petitioners attended Hospital and reported the torture they had gone through at the hands of the Police Officers to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (1POA) -Eldoret office. They further stated that when the 1st petitioner reported back to the DCIO as ordered on 22/06/2021, 10/07/2021 and finally on 14/07/2021, the 4th to 6th Respondents continued to traumatize her emotionally and psychologically for reporting their misdeeds to IPOA. That the 6th Petitioner outrightly told her she will only compensate her when on a wheelchair.
9. The Petitioners urged that they reported the assault to the OCS Eldoret Central Police Station vide O/B No’s 80/22/6/2021 and No. 101/22/6/2021 and were issued with P3 forms for filling at the Uasin Gishu County Hospital. They were escorted on 23/06/2021 by one PC (W) Chelimo who talked to the Clinical officer, the 7th respondent who turned hostile towards the Petitioners. He demanded an illegal fee of Kshs. 1000 from them and it was not until 1/7/2021 that they were able to raise the amount.
10. Further, that on the said date PC Chelimo insisted on escorting them. They contended that the 7th Respondent treated the Petitioners without dignity and respect which is unconstitutional and additionally, conspired with the 4th-6th Respondents to attempt and defeat justice for the Petitioners which is an illegal act by a Public Officer and breach of Medical Professional Ethics.
11. The Petitioners further raised a complaint with IPOA again and the Medical Officer of Health, Uasin Gishu County Hospital who supervises the 7th Respondent and requested for a second opinion on the filling of fresh P3 Forms by an impartial Clinical Officer. The IPOA and the Medical Officer of Health were able to avail fresh P3 Forms for the Petitioners which were subsequently filled by the Medical Superintendents at Huruma and Pioneer Health Centres on 26/7/2021 and 3/8/2021 respectively.
12. The Petitioners laid down the particulars of the violations, urging that Respondents wrongly arrested the 1st Petitioner, and wrongfully held her in Police custody and deprived her of her liberty for over 24 hours, after exposing her to torture, cruel, in humane and degrading treatment and holding her incommunicado from her family and lawyer contrary to Article 49 of the Constitution. Further, that the 4th - 6th Respondents arrested and held the 1st Petitioner in custody without informing her clearly on what the charge was for which she was being arrested, except on her cash bail receipt which indicated “obtaining” which does not exist in the penal code.
13. No section of the law was quoted as required by Article 49(1) (a) (i) of the Constitution. They averred that the 4th - 6th Respondents, during interrogation threatened the 1st Petitioner’s life contrary to Article 26(1) and (3) of the Constitution. Further, that the 4th - 6th Respondents violated the 1st Petitioner’s rights in attempting to compel her to enter into an illegal agreement/ confession contrary to Article 49(1) (d) of the Constitution of Kenya.
14. The petitioners averred that the 4th – 6th Respondents acted unlawfully towards the 2nd Petitioner by treating her with cruelty and inhumanly contrary to Article 53(1) of the Constitution yet she was just a child hence causing her trauma. Further, that the 4th – 6th Respondents wronged the 1st Petitioner by confiscating her National ID Card illegally contrary to Article 121(1) (b) and (2) of the Constitution of Kenya. That the 4th – 7th Respondents acted illegally by colluding and conspiring to defeat justice by interfering with their Police Medical report form (P3s) and collecting an unlawful levy of Kshs 2,000/- and not issuing a valid receipt.
15. The Petitioners listed the particulars of injuries as follows for the 1st Petitioner; Severe Psychological Trauma/Depression; Blunt injury to the left ear; Blunt injury to the face; Bruises to the right upper scapular area; Blunt injury to both upper limbs. Further they listed the Particulars of injuries for 2nd petitioner as; Severe psychological trauma/depression; Blunt injury to the head; Blunt injury to the face; Blunt injury to the left thigh.
16. The petitioners also set out the Particulars of special damages as follows;
1) Kshs 2000/- for filling two P3 Forms for 1st and 2nd Petitioners
2) Doctor’s consultation fees Kshs 6,000/- x 2= Kshs 12,000/-
3) Doctors court attendance fees Kshs 5,000/- X 2= 10,000/- for 2 doctors)
Urgent medical intervention costs
1) Psychological counselling and psychiatric treatment for 1st and 2nd Petitioners at approximately Kshs 200,000/- each totalling to Kshs 400,000/-
17. The Petitioners additionally claimed exemplary damages and urged the court to allow the prayers sought. The court needs to point out that even though the Petitioner’s in their Supplementary and further Affidavit referred to depositions made by the Respondents in a Replying Affidavit, despite the court’s diligent efforts to trace the said Replying Affidavit in the court file after it retired to prepare this judgement, the same could not be traced. It is therefore highly probable in the circumstances that the same could have been served upon the Petitioners but not filed
18. However, the court notes that the depositions that were therein raised were not only reiterated in the submissions filed on behalf of the Respondents by their Counsel, but were also referred to by the Petitioner’s in their further depositions and in the interest of justice and for purposes of the expeditious disposal of this case, the court will rely on the what is on record as referenced to the said Replying Affidavit in reaching its determination
Petitioners’ Supplementary Affidavit
19. The 1st Petitioner filed a Supplementary Affidavit dated 5th April 2023. She deponed that she had the authority to deponed on behalf of the 2nd Petitioner. She averred that in response to paragraph 3 of the Respondents’ Replying Affidavit, the Constitutional Petition is lawful and properly before this Court as provided by the constitution of Kenya (Protection of Rights and Fundamental freedoms) Practices and Procedure Rules and not a waste of judicial time as alleged by the respondent.
20. Further, that the annexed documents to the said Petition are nothing but the truth, and sources clearly indicated as will be further proved during the hearing of this Petition contrary to the allegations of the respondent. She deponed that in response to the Paragraph 6 of the Replying Affidavit the respondent has no right to speak for 3rd or 7th respondents as counsel served both respondents and further, that the respondent inquired of the 3rd respondent for instructions to defend them as per the annexure RJM-1 but neither they nor the 7th respondent filed any memorandum of appearances or objections in court. She urged the court to expunge the said paragraph.
21. She urged that the said 4th – 6th respondents labelled them 'conman' and conwoman' as rightly admitted in paragraph 10 of her Replying Affidavit, which was unlawful and derogatory. Further, that obtaining money by false pretences was never recorded on her cash bail receipt at all as per annexure 6 to the petition, clearly showing she was arrested for a specified offence under the law, contrary to article 49{a} of the constitution. She additionally stated that paragraph 12 of the Replying Affidavit is contradictory to paragraph 10. She reiterated the contents of the petition and urged that the OCS was reluctant to record their complaints in the occurrence Book hence the general details on Part 1 of their P3 forms Exh. 11 and Exh. 12- to the Petition.
22. With regard to non-recording in the Occurrence book upon release on 15/5/2021, annexure "FK1 to the replying affidavit she averred that she was never asked about any complaint she may have heard. In response to Paragraph 29 and 30 of the said Replying Affidavit, she urged that she was not privy to the statements recorded by witnesses and the investigations are still ongoing with the said independent body (1POA), referring to annexure RJM-2 and urging that the 4th – 6th respondents have no right at all to have the said statements or make conclusions at all. She further deponed that Kennedy Murage, her co-suspect, had been compromised by the 4th – 6th Respondents and he turned against them after they filed a report to IPOA.
23. She deponed further, that their complaints are truthful, genuine, bonafide and sustainable in law. She reiterated that her identity card was confiscated and urged that the Replying affidavit should be dismissed.
Petitioners’ Supplementary Affidavit
24. Counsel for the Petitioners filed a supplementary affidavit dated 9th October 2023. She deponed that on 26th September 2023, she was granted leave by the deputy registrar, HON. Rosemary S C ONKOBA to file this Supplementary Affidavit. Further, that she swore the Affidavit in further response to the Replying Affidavit sworn by Corporal Florence Kameri on 22nd March 2023. She averred that the Supplementary Affidavit reinforces the 1st Petitioner’s Supplementary Affidavit sworn on 5th April 2023 and filed and served on the same day.
25. The deponent averred that the criminal investigations were ongoing in the complaint the Petitioners had filed with the IPOA who forwarded their findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and who finally gave consent to charge the 5th and 6th Respondents herein with Assault causing actual bodily harm to the Petitioners. She referred the court to annexures marked as M.C.C.-l (a.) and l (b.) 6. Additionally, that the parties were granted a chance to pursue an out-of-court settlement via the ODPP guidelines on Diversion, and the Principal Prosecuting Counsel, Uasin Gishu County, invited the 5th & 6th Respondents and 1st & 2nd Petitioners for a Diversion Meeting on 22/9/2023.
26. She referred the court to the annexure marked as MCCC (2). She urged that the parties had their first meeting on 22/9/2023 at the office of the ODPP Prosecutions Office in Uasin Gishu but the 5th and 6th Respondents stonewalled by adamantly refusing to compensate the petitioner adequately, although they apologised for violating the Petitioners’ Rights. She referred the court to annexure MCC (3) in this regard. She further stated that the complaints against the 4th and 7th Respondents are still pending before the OCS Eldoret Police station and she has raised concerns with the authorities on the expediting of the criminal investigations. She referred to annexures marked as MCC 4(a) and 4(b) in this regard.
Petitioners’ Submissions
27. Counsel for the petitioner laid down the details pertaining to the petition including a summary of the pleadings and the responses thereto. She then went into the issues for determination and urged that there were two issues as follows;
1) Whether the Petitioners have proved 100% on a balance of probability that their Constitutional Rights as per Paragraph 30 of their Petition were violated by the respondents, jointly and severally and
2) Whether the Petitioners are entitled to the orders and damages sought in their Petition.
28. Counsel cited the case of Michael Rotich Vs Republic [2016] eKLR and the Indian Supreme Court Case, Neeru Yadar VS State of U.P & Another Criminal Appeal NO. 2587 of 2014 on the duty of the court and the right to liberty. She urged that the 1st Petitioner was clearly arrested in a primitive manner and frog-marched to Eldoret DCI Office where her Liberty was taken away unlawfully, for over 24hrs.
29. However, even if the case was still pending under investigation the respondents should have given her favourable bond terms and further, that granting her bond terms beyond her ability, without compelling reasons, yet Kennedy had accepted to refund the complainants money was a gross violation of the 1st Petitioners' right to liberty. It shows clearly that the respondents did not care to apply the guidelines to Bail/Bond as provided by the National Council on the Administration of Justice, the provisions of which she reproduced. Further, that the Police Officers being the 4h – 6th Respondents violated the law.
30. Counsel cited Article 29 of the Constitution and urged that the 1st Petitioner has placed evidence before this Court to confirm she was arbitrarily arrested, by the 5th and 6th Respondents who did not even identify themselves, and upon inquiring if there was mistaken identity, the said 5th and 6th Respondents herein, started torturing her through slaps, pinching her with pliers and verbal insults, causing her untold trauma.
31. She urged that the 2nd Petitioner, arriving to plead her mother's (1st Petitioner's) cause, was slapped, pushed against a chair, insulted and threatened with dire consequences if she did not leave the station. The 1st Petitioner was neither allowed to call her Advocate nor family member and only managed to call the 2nd Petitioner by chance. She urged that Article 49 of the Constitution protects the rights of arrested persons and referred to sub article (1) (c) specifically. She stated that from the 1st Petitioners’ statements, it is clear the respondents intended to hold her incommunicado, against the law.
32. The Petitioners have clearly explained the trauma they went through not only in the hands of the 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents, but also at the hands of their fellow conspirator the 7th Respondent, a clinical Officer, employed at the Uasin-Gishu County Hospital. She reproduced the facts pertaining to this allegation as stated in the petition and urged the Court to ignore the irrelevant averments in the Replying Affidavit of the 5th Respondent in a bid to sanitize their violations against the Petitioners.
33. Further, that by the time of writing these submissions, the Petitioners' advocate, had been served with a copy of the Charge sheet and summons to attend Court for "Plea" on 8th April 2024 and also served on the 5th and 6th Respondents in Eldoret CM.CR Case NO. MCCR NO. E664/24 wherein the 1st and 2nd Petitioners are the complainants. She urged that this proves on a balance of Probability 100% that the respondents are liable for violating the Petitioners Constitutional and Human Rights and should therefore take full responsibility.
34. On whether the petitioners are entitled to the orders and damages, Article 22 of the Constitution allows any person who feels their fundamental freedoms and rights have been violated to institute Court proceedings. Hence, these proceedings are properly before this Constitutional Court and the 1st Petitioner has rightly brought this Petition on behalf of herself and her daughter, the 2nd Petitioner who was a minor at the time her rights were violated. The violation complained of was carried out in the same transaction, time and place and would be a waste of Courts time and resources to file a multiplicity of Petitions for a same cause by a same class of persons.
35. Counsel cited Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which provides: -
9 (5) "Anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation"
36. Further, that this is also respected under our Kenyan Constitution at Article 2 (5) which provides: -
"The General rules of International law shall form part of the law of Kenya"
6). Any treaty or convention ratified by Kenya shall form part of the law of Kenya under the Constitution.
37. Counsel urged that the 1st Petitioner's rights against arbitrary arrest and arbitrary detention were violated contrary to Article 29 (1) of the Constitution and she ought to be compensated. She cited the case of Kajiado High Court Constitutional Petition No. 14 of 2017-Mohammed Faisal and 19 others VS Henry Kandie, Chief Inspector of Police Station (OCS) Ongata Rongai Police Station and 7 others in this regard. She urged the Court to find that the Petitioners have proved their Petition on a balance of probability at the ratio of 100% against the Respondents jointly and severally and award them Damages as guided by the law and legal precedents.
38. She additionally placed reliance on the case of Daniel Waweru Njoroge & 17 Others VS Attorney General Civil Appeal No. 89 of 2010 [2015] eKLR. She urged the Court to be guided by the unique facts of the Petition at hand, the Physical, emotional and psychological injuries suffered by the 1st & 2nd Petitioners, the injury to the character and reputation of the 1st Petitioner who is a respectable Village Elder also serving as such within the Eldoret Police Station area.
39. With regard to general damages for violation of petitioners rights she referred the court to the decision above, pointing out that the judge proceeded to award the 1st to 19th Petitioners, Kshs. 100,000/= (One Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) in General Damages and a similar amount in Exemplary Damages amounting to Kshs 200,000/= (Two Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) each. That however this was in the year 2017 and she proposed an award of Kshs. 400,000/= (Four Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) for each and Kshs.800.000/= (Eight Hundred Thousand Shillings Only) for both Petitioners.
40. She urged that the 1st Petitioner suffered soft tissue injuries at the hands of the respondents namely: - a) Blunt Injury to the left ear; b) Blunt Injury to the face; c) Blunt injury to the right upper scapular area d) Blunt Injury to both upper limbs. She proposed an award of Kshs. 350,000/= in general damages for Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenities, in view of the current inflation rates, high cost of living and the dropping value of the Kenyan Shilling, vis-a-vis, the American Dollar globally.
41. She placed reliance on Poa Link Services Company Limited & Another Vs Sin Dand Boaz Bonzemo HCCA NO 17 OF 2019 wherein Riechi J. upheld general damages of KSH 350, 000/= in this regard. She additionally stated that the 2nd Petitioner also suffered soft tissue injuries, at the hands of the Respondents namely: -a) Blunt injury to the head b) Blunt injury to the face c) Blunt injury to left thigh. She suggested a modest award of Kshs. 300,000/=in general damages for Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenities. She relied on the Authority of Anthony Nyamwaya- (Appellant) VS Jackline Moraa Nyandemo-(Respondent), Nyamira High Court Civil Appeal NO. E046 OF 2021 in this regard.
42. On Special Damages, she urged that the Petitioners have proved expenditure of Kshs. 6000/= (Six Thousand Shillings Only) each for preparation of the Medical Report by Dr. Sokobe, totalling KSH12, 000 (Two Thousand Shillings Only). That they also paid Ksh 1000/= (0ne Thousand Shillings Only) each illegally to the 7th Respondent amounting to Ksh 2000/= (Two Thousand Shillings Only) each in total. They also paid KSH 50/= (Fifty Shillings Only) each at Uasin Gishu County Hospital totalling KSH100/-. She urged that the total Special Damages were Kshs. 14,010/=. According to Dr. Sokobe, both the 1st and 2nd Petitioners suffered Severe Psychological trauma/Depression and need urgent Medical intervention for Psychological Counselling and Psychiatric treatment costing approximately Kshs. 200,000/= each totalling Kshs. 400,000/- each.
43. Counsel submitted that they further pray that the 5th Respondent be ordered to search for and return the 1st Petitioners' Original National Identification Card NO. 20519571, to her for surrender to the department of Registration of Persons for safekeeping. She urged the court to allow the Petition as prayed.
Respondents’ Submissions
44. On whether the petition is defective having not been supported by an affidavit, counsel pointed out that the petitioner filed petition dated 13th June, 2022 alongside an authority to act, list of witnesses and list of documents. There is no Supporting Affidavit in support of factual allegations set out in the petition against the respondents and properly introduce into the record of the court the documents or evidence upon which the petitioners rely on. She urged that the petition is fatally defective, as the allegations set out are without a sworn affidavit from the petitioner but are merely statements that cannot be relied in court as testimony. Admitting into evidence the allegations set out will tantamount to accepting evidence presented from the bar by counsel for the petitioner.
45. Counsel submitted that the Constitution of Kenya {Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) Practice and Procedure Rules, 2013 rule 11 thereof provides as follows:
“ (1) the petition filed under these rules may be supported by an affidavit (2) if a party wishes to rely on any document, the document shall be annexed to the supporting affidavit or the petition where there is no supporting affidavit"
46. In addition to the above provisions, the rules of evidence are clear. Evidence can only be brought to court through sworn statements by the parties. She placed reliance on the case of Maureen Nyambura Ngigi Warui v Board of Directors, Kenya Power & Lighting Company limited & 2 others F2020] eKLR wherein Justice Maureen Odero struck out a petition in similar circumstances. She urged that the petitioners filed supplementary affidavits in response to the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th respondents’ Replying Affidavit. The affidavit clearly just responds to the facts raised In the Replying affidavit. It does not breathe life to the allegations or documents filed alongside the petition. She maintained that such omission is fatal to the petition and the same ought to be struck out.
47. On whether the petition meets the threshold set out in the case of Anarita Karimi Counsel urged that the Constitution of Kenya Protection of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Practice and Procedure Rules 2013 (“Mutunga Rules”) lays down the procedure to move the court in a constitutional petition. That Rule 10 of the Rules provides thus:
“The petition shall disclose the petitioner’s name and address; the facts relied upon; the constitutional provision violated; the nature of injury caused or likely to be caused to the petitioner or the person in whose name the petitioner has instituted the suit; the petition shall be signed by the petitioner or the advocate of the petitioner; and the relief sought by the petitioner.”
48. She urged that the principles of drafting a constitutional petition were well established in the court in the case of Anarita Karimi Njeru vs Attorney General (1979) KLR 154/ (1976-1980) KLR 1272) and further, that in Mumo Matemu vs Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance and 5 Others (2013) eKLR, the Court of Appeal drove home the import of the principle as to the precision in constitutional litigation and had the following to say:
Procedure is also a handmaiden of just determination of cases. Cases cannot be dealt with justly unless the parties and the court know the issues in controversy... The principle in Anarita Karimi Njeru that established the rule that requires reasonable precision in framing of issues is constitutional petitions is an extension of this principle.”
49. Counsel submitted that it therefore follows that a matter falls within the confines of a constitutional petition only if; a. It raises constitutional issues and questions for determination by the court; b. It outlines the constitutional provisions violated; c. It outlines the nature of injury caused or is likely to be caused to the petitioner; d. It is drafted with sufficient
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