Wycliffe Were Sitati v Republic [2021] KEHC 2050 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KAKAMEGA

MISCELLANEOUS CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. E001 OF 2021

WYCLIFFE WERE SITATI.................APPLICANT

VERSUS

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

RULING

1. This matter was placed before me for the purpose of giving directions, in view of the recent decision by the Supreme Court in Francis Karioko Muruatetu & another vs. Republic; Katiba Institute & 5 others(Amicus Curiae[2021] (Koome CJ&P, Mwilu DCJ&VP, Ibrahim, Wanjala, Ndung’u & Lenaola SSJJ), with respect to mandatory sentences, where it was clarified that the decision, in Francis Karioko Muruatetu & another vs. Republic[2017] eKLR (Maraga CJ&P, Mwilu DCJ&VP, Ojwang, Wanjala, Njoki and Lenaola SCJJ), had arisen from proceedings relating to murder, under section 204 of the Penal Code, Cap 63, Laws of Kenya, and the position stated in the said decision was intended to apply only to mandatory sentences with respect to murder cases.

2. The application herein, the Motion dated 4th January 2021, does not appear to be based on Francis Karioko Muruatetu & another vs. Republic[2017] eKLR (Maraga CJ&P, Mwilu DCJ&VP, Ojwang, Wanjala, Njoki and Lenaola SCJJ).  The applicant had, in separate proceedings sought re-sentencing under Francis Karioko Muruatetu & another vs. Republic[2017] eKLR (Maraga CJ&P, Mwilu DCJ&VP, Ojwang, Wanjala, Njoki and Lenaola SCJJ), and his death sentence was reduced to fifteen years’ imprisonment. He now prays that he be considered for probation.

3. The applicant benefited from re-sentencing in 2019. I am not persuaded that he qualifies so soon for another round of reconsideration of his sentence, for the very serious offence of robbery with violence, for which he had been sentenced to death. The file shall be closed.

4. The Deputy Registrar to cause copies of this ruling to be availed to the applicant and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

PREPARED, DATED AND SIGNED AT KAKAMEGA THIS 12TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2021

W MUSYOKA

JUDGE