Republic v Agnes Murochia Kamunya, Patrick Kinoti Kamunya, Jeremiah Kailikia Kamunya, Phineas Kinyua Kaome, David Kinyua Mugambi, Mary Kanario Kamunya & Domiciano Kobia Kitibo [2021] KEHC 1561 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MERU

(CORAM: CHERERE-J)

CRIMINAL CASE NO.1 OF 2017

BETWEEN

REPUBLIC ..................................................................................................PROSECUTOR

AND

AGNES MUROCHIA KAMUNYA ............................................................1ST ACCUSED

PATRICK KINOTI KAMUNYA ...............................................................2ND ACCUSED

JEREMIAH KAILIKIA KAMUNYA ........................................................3RD ACCUSED

PHINEAS KINYUA KAOME....................................................................4TH  ACCUSED

DAVID KINYUA MUGAMBI......................................................................5TH ACCUSED

MARY KANARIO KAMUNYA ................................................................6TH ACCUSED

DOMICIANO KOBIA KITIBO.................................................................7TH ACCUSED

RULING

1.  Accused persons herein are jointly charged with the offence of Murder Contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.  The particulars of the charge are that on the night of 24th and 25th December, 2016 at Kianjai Market, Kianjai Location, in Tigania West Sub-County within Meru County murdered LEONARD MWITI MUGAMBI alias Mbotela.

2. The accused person denied committing the offence and the prosecution called a total of 9 (nine) witnesses in support of their case.  Upon the prosecution closing its case this court has to determine whether or not the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused as defined in the case Ramanlal Trambaklal Bhatt vs Rex [1957] EA 332, 335.

3. At this stage, the court is not required to decide finally whether the evidence is worthy of credit or whether, if believed, it is weighty enough to prove the case conclusively, -that final determination can only properly be made when the case for the defence has been heard.

4. Having considered the evidence tendered by the nine prosecution witnesses I am persuaded that a prima facie case has been established that warrants this court to call upon the Accused persons to defend himself.

5. Accordingly, the Accused person will proceed as provided under Section 306 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

DATED THIS 25TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2021

WAMAE. T. W. CHERERE

JUDGE

COURT ASSISTANT - KINOTI

ACCUSED 1-7 - PRESENT

FOR THE ACCUSED PERSONS - MR. KAIMENYI ADVOCATE

FOR THE STATE - MS. MWANIKI