COURSE OUTLINE: CRIMINAL LAW FOR CRIMINOLOGISTS (BEGINNERS)
BY: EDWIN KIMANI
Topic
1 Introduction to Criminal Law & Sources (Penal Code, Constitution, Common Law)
2 Classification of Offences (Felonies, Misdemeanors, Regulatory Offences)
3 General Principles: Actus Reus & Mens Rea
4 Parties to a Crime: Principal, Accessory, Conspiracy
5 Inchoate Offences: Attempt, Conspiracy, Solicitation
6 Offences Against the Person I: Homicide (Murder, Manslaughter)
7 Offences Against the Person II: Assault, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
8 Offences Against Property I: Theft, Robbery, Burglary
9 Offences Against Property II: Criminal Damage, Fraud, Receiving Stolen Property
10 Defences I: Involuntary Conduct, Mistake, Duress, Necessity
11 Defences II: Insanity, Intoxication, Automatism
12 General Defences & Justifications: Self-defence, Consent, Public Interest
13 Corporate and State Liability; Emerging Crimes (Cybercrime, Environment)
14 Revision, Case Studies & Mock Exam
Detailed Criminal Law Notes
1. Introduction & Sources of Criminal Law
• Definition: Criminal law defines conduct prohibited by the state, prescribing punishment.
• Primary Sources:
o Penal Code (Cap. 63): Principal statute for substantive offences.
o Constitution of Kenya, 2010: Fundamental rights, guiding principles (e.g., fair
trial, presumption of innocence).
o Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 75): Procedure for investigation, trial,
sentencing.
o Common Law and Judicial Precedents: Fill gaps not covered by statute.
2. Classification of Offences
• Felonies vs. Misdemeanours:
o Felony (now largely synonymous with “indictable offence”): punishable by
imprisonment exceeding 3 years.
o Misdemeanour: punishable by imprisonment up to 3 years or fine.
• Regulatory Offences: Created under subsidiary legislation (e.g., traffic regulations),
punishable by fines.
3. General Principles: Actus Reus & Mens Rea
• Actus Reus (Guilty Act): External element—voluntary bodily movement, omission
where duty exists (e.g., under s. 170, Penal Code (Cap. 63) duty of a legal guardian).
• Mens Rea (Guilty Mind):
o Intention (direct or oblique)
o Recklessness
o Knowledge (e.g., under s. 341 (embezzlement) requires dishonesty with intent to
defraud)
• Concurrence Principle: Actus reus and mens rea must coincide in time.
4. Parties to a Crime
• Principal in the First Degree: Person who actually commits the act.
• Principal in the Second Degree: Present and aiding or abetting (s. 23, Penal Code).
• Accessory After the Fact: Helps offender to escape justice (s. 24, Penal Code).
• Conspiracy (s. 384): Agreement between two or more persons to commit offence.
5. Inchoate Offences
• Attempt (s. 22): Acts beyond mere preparation, more than impossible attempts (s. 22(2)).
• Solicitation (s. 22A–22C): Encouraging or procuring commission of offence.
• Conspiracy: Agreement plus an overt act in furtherance.
6. Offences Against the Person I: Homicide
• Murder (s. 203): Unlawful killing with malice aforethought; mandatory life sentence.
• Manslaughter (s. 204): Unlawful killing lacking malice aforethought.
• Infanticide (s. 205): Mother killing newborn under 12 months.
• Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder: When circumstances (e.g.,
provocation) reduce liability.
7. Offences Against the Person II
• Assault (s. 245): Attempt or threat to apply unlawful force.
• Grievous Bodily Harm (s. 247): Actual bodily harm or grievous hurt.
• Sexual Offences Act, 2006: Rape (s. 3), defilement, sexual harassment—complements
the Penal Code.
8. Offences Against Property I
• Theft (s. 268): Dishonest appropriation of movable property belonging to another.
• Aggravated Theft (s. 269A): Theft involving violence or weapons.
• Robbery (s. 296): Theft with violence or threat.
• Burglary (s. 302): Breaking and entering dwelling or locked structure.
9. Offences Against Property II
• Criminal Damage (s. 322–323): Malicious injury to property.
• Fraud (s. 312): Dishonest inducement by false pretence.
• Receiving Stolen Property (s. 296A): Knowing reception of stolen goods.
10. Defences I
• Involuntary Conduct: Acts done in unconscious state, e.g., automatism.
• Mistake of Fact (s. 24) vs. Mistake of Law: Only mistake of fact may negate mens rea
if reasonable.
• Duress (s. 25): Threat of death or grievous harm; not available for murder.
• Necessity: No specific statute; common-law doctrine for emergency actions.
11. Defences II
• Insanity (s. 79): “Defect of reason, from disease of mind,” incapable of understanding
nature of act.
• Intoxication (s. 80): Voluntary intoxication not a defence to basic intent crimes;
involuntary intoxication may be.
12. General Justifications
• Self-Defence (s. 247A): Reasonable force to defend self or property.
• Consent: Valid for certain non-fatal offences (e.g., sporting contexts).
• Public Interest: e.g., execution of legal duty by police.
13. Corporate & Emerging Liability
• Corporate Liability: Criminal responsibility of companies and agents (s. 32A).
• Cybercrime & Environment: Kenya Information and Communications Act;
Environmental Management and Coordination Act.
14–15. Revision & Examination
• Case Studies: Analyze landmark cases (e.g., R v. Shah, Republic v. Stanley Olomi).
• Answer-writing Skills: Issue spotting, IRAC method, statutory interpretation.
Key References:
• Penal Code (Cap. 63) — principal offences and defences.
• Constitution of Kenya, Art. 50 (right to fair hearing).
• Sexual Offences Act, 2006 — gender-based violence.
• Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 75) — procedural aspects.
This structure equips beginner criminology students with a solid foundation in Kenyan criminal
law, integrating statutory citations and practical examples throughout.
