Republic v Inspector General of Police & 3 others; Asanyo & another (Exparte Applicants) (Environment and Land Judicial Review Case E002 of 2024) [2025] KEELC 1260 (KLR)
The bottom line
#The Kilgoris Environment and Land Court ruled it cannot stop a criminal prosecution because the related land case had already been decided.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Whether the preliminary objections raised a valid point of law
Yes; objections founded on jurisdiction meet the Mukisa Biscuits threshold
Applying the Mukisa Biscuits definition, an objection to the jurisdiction of the court is a pure point of law capable of disposing of the suit. Since both notices were founded on jurisdiction, the court found them competent and answered the first issue in the affirmative.
Whether the ELC has jurisdiction to review a DPP decision to charge
The ELC, being a court of equal status with the High Court, can exercise judicial review over public bodies including the DPP in appropriate cases, particularly where a parallel civil suit is pending before it
Relying on Karisa Chengo, the ELC exercises the same powers as the High Court within its specialised jurisdiction. Judicial review is constitutional supervision of public authorities. Jurisdictional limitations under Article 165(5) mean title questions fall to the ELC. Hence in appropriate cases, with a pending parallel civil suit on title, the ELC may review a decision to charge.
Whether this case was an appropriate case for the ELC to exercise that jurisdiction
No; the parallel civil suit had been concluded and an appeal was pending before the Court of Appeal, making the court functus officio and the charges purely criminal
Counsel confirmed the substantive civil suit giving rise to the criminal case was concluded with an appeal pending. The court found three reasons it could not intervene: functus officio, the charges having transcended into pure criminal charges, and the court being a trial court that cannot delve into matters before the Court of Appeal. The objections were therefore allowed.
Legal principles established
#- The ELC may hear and determine judicial review matters challenging a decision to charge where there is a pending parallel substantive civil suit before it
- Where the parallel civil suit is concluded, the ELC becomes functus officio and the criminal charges, being purely criminal, oust its jurisdiction
Court orders
#- 1.The Notices of Preliminary Objection dated 10.12.2024 and 13.12.2024 are allowed with costs
- 2.The Notice of Motion application dated 26.11.2024 is dismissed with costs
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Article 162(2)(b) of the Constitution and Section 13 of the Environment and Land Court Act
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Republic v Inspector General of Police & 3 others; Asanyo & another (Exparte Applicants) (Environment and Land Judicial Review Case E002 of 2024) [2025] KEELC 1260 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2025). Judicial Review (Kilgoris ELC) – Notice of Motion dated 26.11.2024. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2025/1260/eng@2025-03-17
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.