ABSTRACT

The death penalty is associated with two fundamental human rights; the right to life and the protection against cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. This research sought to establish whether the death penalty as practiced in Kenya conforms to comparative and international human rights norms. It analyzed the legality of death penalty in Kenya with respect to the right to life and its impact. The research was historical and was also based on the reports and views of various scholars. The major findings revealed that the death penalty is inhuman and degrading punishment that is unacceptable both under international law and the domestic legislation in Kenya since it offends the concept and the law on human rights and is inconsistent with the contemporary trends in international criminal law. It is further manifested that the death penalty is not a deterrent since murderers do not usually reflect much on the consequences of their actions before acting. Also, that mandatory death sentencing is antithetical to the constitutional provisions on protection against inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and fair trial. The major conclusion in this research was that the death penalty is not in consonance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The research recommended the need for Kenya to formalize its de facto moratorium by adopting a de jure moratorium. In addition, legislative amendments are needed to suppress mandatory death sentences and broaden the restriction on the imposition of the death penalty on the persons with a mental deficiency, while addressing social and structural conditions of society to reduce violent crimes.

Table of Contents 

RESEARCH TITLE ................................................................................................................................. i 

Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... ii 

DECLARATION .................................................................................................................................... v 

CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................... v 

DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................................... vi 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................... vii 

LIST OF CASES .................................................................................................................................. viii 

LIST OF INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ..................................................................................... ix 

LIST OF STATUTES ............................................................................................................................. ix 

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................ X 

CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................................... 1 

1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 

1.2 Statement of the Prob !em ................................................................................................................... 2 

1.3 Objectives of the Study ...................................................................................................................... 3 

1.4 Scope of Study .................................................................................................................................. 4 

1.5 Hypothesis ......................................................................................................................................... 4 

1.6 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................................... 4 

1. 7 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 5 

1.8 Literature Review .............................................................................................................................. 5 

CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................... 9 

HISTORICAL CONCEPT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND MAJOR THEMES ............................... 9 

2.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 9 

2.1 Emergence of Formal and Legal Punishment. .................................................................................... 9 

2.2 Ancient Greece ................................................................................................................................ 10 

2.3 Ancient Rome .................................................................................................................................. 10 

2.4 The Middle Ages ....................................................................................................................... 11 

2.5 The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries ......................................................................................... 11 

2.6 Major Themes in Capital Punishment. .............................................................................................. 12 

2. 7 Deterrence and Capital Punishment. ................................................................................................. 12 

2.7.1. Not a Unique Deterrent. ........................................................................................................... 13 

2.8 Retribution and Capital Punishment. ................................................................................................ 14 

2.9 Utilitarian Punishment Philosophy ................................................................................................... 15 

2.9.1 Criticisms of the Utilitarian Punishment Philosophy .................................................................. 17 

2.9.2 Relevance of Punishment Theories to Kenya ............................................................................. 17 

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 18 

CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................................................... 19 

LEGAL REGIME ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN KENYA ............................................................. 19 

3.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 19 

3.1 Constitutional Framework on Capital Punishment.. .......................................................................... 19 

3.2 Legislative Framework on Capital Punishment.. ............................................................................... 20 

3.2.1 Exceptions to Imposition of Death Sentence .............................................................................. 27 

3.3 International Conventions ................................................................................................................ 29 

3.4 Death Row Syndrome/Death Row phenomenon ............................................................................... 30 

3.5 The Administration of Capital Punishment in Kenya ........................................................................ 31 

3.5.1 Should Capital Punishment Be Abolished? ................................................................................ 33 

3.5.2 The Pains of Imprisonment ....................................................................................................... 34 

3.5.2.1 Kamiti Maximum Prison in Kenya ..................................................................................... 34 

3.5.2.2 Upsurge of Death Row Convicts ......................................................................................... 35 

3.6 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 36 

CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................................. 37 

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS ............ 37 

4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 37 

4.1 African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights ................................................................................ 37 

4.2 Comparative African Countries' Court Decisions ............................................................................. 38 

4.2.1 Tanzania ................................................................................................................................... 38 

4.2.2 Uganda ..................................................................................................................................... 39 

4.2.3 Zimbabwe ................................................................................................................................. 40 

4.2.4 South Africa .............................................................................................................................. 41 

4.3 Global Trends .................................................................................................................................. 42 

4.4 Amnesty Organization ..................................................................................................................... 42 

4.5 International Federation for Human Rights ...................................................................................... 44 

4.6 From Moratorium to Abolition: ........................................................................................................ 44 

4.7 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 45 

CHAPTER FNE ................................................................................................................................... 46 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................. 46 

5.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 46 

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................. 48 

BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................. 51 

BOOKS ................................................................................................................................................. 51 

ARTICLES I JOURNALS ..................................................................................................................... 52 

INTERNET SOURCES ......................................................................................................................... 54