Case Metadata |
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| Case Number: | Criminal Appeal 51 of 2010 |
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| Parties: | Michael Murasia Alias Chotoi David v Republic |
| Date Delivered: | 15 Feb 2011 |
| Case Class: | Criminal |
| Court: | Court of Appeal at Eldoret |
| Case Action: | Judgment |
| Judge(s): | Johnson Evan Gicheru, Samuel Elikana Ondari Bosire, John walter Onyango Otieno |
| Citation: | Michael Murasia Alias Chotoi David v Republic [2011] eKLR |
| Case History: | Appeal from an order of summary rejection of the High Court of Kenya at Eldoret (Ombija, J.) dated 16th February, 2010 in H.C.CR.A. NO. 61 OF 2009 |
| Court Division: | Criminal |
| County: | Uasin Gishu |
| History Docket No: | 61 OF 2009 |
| History Judges: | Nicholas Randa Owano Ombija |
| Case Summary: |
Criminal practice and procedure – sentencing - second appeal against sentence of seven and three years imprisonment for the offence of theft and malicious damage to property respectively - sentences to run concurrently – appellant’s claim that the sentences imposed were harsh – whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to entertain second appeal on the ground of severity of sentence – whether the appeal had merit – Penal Code sections 279(a) 339(1) – Criminal Procedure Code section 361(1) (a)
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| History County: | Uasin Gishu |
| Case Outcome: | Appeal Allowed |
| Disclaimer: | The information contained in the above segment is not part of the judicial opinion delivered by the Court. The metadata has been prepared by Kenya Law as a guide in understanding the subject of the judicial opinion. Kenya Law makes no warranties as to the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information |
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT
The appellant Michael Murasia alias David Chotoi, whom we shall hereinafter refer to as the appellant, was charged with two counts before the Principal Magistrate’s Court at Kapenguria, the first one being stealing from the person contrary to section 279 (a) of the Penal Code. The second count was one of malicious damage to property contrary to section 339 (1) of the same Code. He pleaded guilty to both counts, and he was thereafter sentenced to concurrent terms of 7 years and 3 years imprisonment respectively. His first appeal to the superior court was rejected summarily under section 352 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code and hence this appeal. In this appeal the appellant’s main complaint is that the sentences imposed upon him are too harsh and he prays that we reduce them. It was his submission that this Court should exercise its powers in his favour and consider reducing the sentences.
The appellant in reply submitted that it is his constitutional right to bring an appeal to this Court and in his view therefore the Court should exercise its powers and reduce the sentences against him.
We have carefully considered the appellant’s appeal. The appellant is not challenging his conviction on the aforesaid two counts. His appeal both to the superior court and to this Court is confined to severity of sentence. Under section 352 (2) aforesaid the superior court had the power to summarily dismiss the appellant’s appeal if the sentences meted out were within the law and did not appear to be manifestly excessive. The superior court having looked at the sentences which were meted against the appellant quite properly ruled that the appellant’s appeal was without any proper basis and was frivolous. We find no basis for differing with that court. Besides this being a second appeal, we would not have jurisdiction to entertain it in view of the clear provisions of section 361 (1) (a) of the Criminal Procedure Code. That being our view of the matter, this appeal is clearly for dismissal.
But the appellant has submitted that he should be allowed, to exercise his constitutional right of appealing to this Court. As the power of this Court is circumscribed by statute our hands are tied, and we cannot but dismiss the appellant’s appeal for want of jurisdiction. It is so ordered.
Dated and delivered at Eldoret this 15th day of February, 2011.
J. E. GICHERU
CHIEF JUSTICE
JUDGE OF APPEAL
JUDGE OF APPEAL
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