Lack of bail term limits puts lawyers at loggerheads with their clients

Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director Charles Ongwae in the dock at a Miliman Court on 25/6/2018. [Photo: George Njunge/Standard]

Stiff and conditional bail terms set by Kenyan courts recently have set off a debate among law makers on whether the Judiciary ought to introduce guidelines on the maximum and minimum amounts for various bailable offences during criminal proceedings.

Some legislators, like Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior support the status quo, arguing that bail terms should be at the discretion of the sitting magistrate.