JOHN CHANGALA EMANY v REPUBLIC [2000] KEHC 73 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI (NAIROBI LAW COURTS) Criminal Appeal 472 of 2000

(From Original Conviction and Sentence in Criminal Case No.6103 of 1998 of the Senior

Principal Magistrate’s Court at Kibera).

JOHN CHANGALA EMANY........................................................................................................APPELLANT

versus

REPUBLIC................................................................................................................................RESPONDENT

J U D G M E N T

This appeal is for allowing.

The whole question centres round the issue of mens rea.

The learned Lady State Counsel Miss Makengu argued that the evidence of the child (P.W.1) was corroborated by that of P.W.2.  With respect, I do not agree.

The appellant explained the purpose for taking the child who he met on a road.  The child confirmed it to be so.

P.W.2 was on a look out for tresspassers and found the appellant and the child when they trespassed.

According to P.W.2 the child was crying at the time and the appellant was asking her to walk on.

The child never said in her evidence that she was crying and all that indeed that prosecution in the court below did not ask her any question about it.  I note that in cross examination by the appellant, the child (P.W.1) said that the appellant did not beat her.  That he simply asked her to go with him to carry a bag for which he was to pay her Sh.10/-, can one infer that the appellant intended to abduct the child to establish the charge?  On the evidence it is not possible to say that the intent was there in view of the child’s own evidence.

The appeal is allowed.  The conviction is quashed, the sentence is set aside.  The appellant be released forthwith.

V.V. PATEL

JUDGE

20-6-2000