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JudgmentThe Republic VS JOSEPH MUTUKU MUTIINDA3 min read

The Republic VS JOSEPH MUTUKU MUTIINDA

High Court at Makueni High Court · · Matheka, Teresia Mumbua

  1. The  accused    person  is charged    with  murder contrary  to  section 203   as  read  with  204  of the  penal  code(Cap  63)  Laws  of  Kenya. 

Particulars  of  the  offence  is  that,  Joseph Mutuku  Mutinda  on the  9th  day  of  November, 2023   at  unknown  time at   Baraka  Estate, Mwaani  area in Wote township, in Makueni Sub-County  within Makueni  County,  murdered Bernadette Mutindi  Vincent.

  1. He took   plea on 18/12/2023    - and pleaded   not guilty. 
  2. The  prosecution  opposed    bond  vide  application  dated  13/12/2023  supported by  the  affidavit  of  No. 83295 CPL  Joseph Karisa in which he  depones; 
  3. That on 09/11/2023   it was reported by one Everlyne  Mbaika    Makau   that  there was a murder    incident  at  Baraka  Estate, Mwaani Village, Wote Township.
  4. That the  police rushed  to the scene  at  Baraka   Estate  and found the deceased  namely  Bernadette Mutindi  Vincent aged  27  years   who  was   staying  with  her   boyfriend   namely  Joseph Mutuku Mutinda (respondent), lying  on the  floor  of their  bedroom  dead  with several  panga  cuts  on her  head.  Body  was first  discovered  by  her  sister  namely  Josephine  Nyiva  Kinama  who was  living  with  the respondent and deceased  in the  same house.  
  5. That scene    was  processed  and  a   panga  believed  to be  the  murder  weapon  and other  exhibits recovered at the scene.   Respondent went into hiding, but was found and arrested on 12/11/2023. 
  6. That  the  respondent  is  a  flight  risk  and that  he  may  disappear    if granted bond,  since he  went   into  hiding    after committing   the offence.
  7. That the respondent may interfere with the witnesses.
  8. That the  deceased’s  sister namely Josephine Nyiva   Kinama   who  is  a  crucial  witness  is  fearing   for her  life if  the respondent is  released  on bond.
  9. That he prays that this  honorable  court finds  merit in their  objection  to accused’s  request to  be granted  bond.
  10. There has been no response to the application by the defence. 
  11. I sought    a pre-bail report from probation and after care   services.  It was filed on 6/3/2024.
  12. The  report   confirms  that  the  accused  may  be  a flight risk,  and the family of the  deceased  are  still in fear following the murder of their kin.   In addition,  his  security  may  not  be  guaranteed   due  to  the  hostility in the community emanating  from the  community,  in view   of  the offence he is  alleged  to have committed. 
  13. In determining whether or not there are compelling reasons to deny the accused bond I  keep in mind   Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution of Kenya which  states; (1) An arrested person has the right ( inter alia) —(h) to be released on bond or bail, on reasonable conditions, pending a charge or trial, unless there are compelling reasons not to be released. I have  considered   the  application  -   the  pre-bail report  and  that the  accused is  presumed  innocent   until  proven guilty
  14. Can this accused person be  released  on  bond  as  yet?. 
  15. There are genuine concerns about the accused’s safety. While the state has the apparatus to keep everyone secure it would be a long shot to imagine that this would happen for a specific individual out there in the community. The court can, and does out of necessity keep the accused in custody for the period of the perceived danger.
  16. The matter   come up for hearing on   22nd, 28th & 29th May, 2024 and perhaps after that the tensions will be down and the accused can enjoy his liberty.
  17. Hence I find that  there  is  need  to  suspend    the  accused’s   release to     after  the hearing  in May.
  18. Consequently, he is admitted to bond of Ksh.  300,000     with surety of similar amount   suspended    till after the 29/5/2024 .