Related documents
LAWS OF KENYA
PREVENTION OF TORTURE ACT
CAP. 88
- Published in Kenya Gazette Vol. CXIX—No. 51 on 21 April 2017
- Assented to on 13 April 2017
- Commenced on 20 April 2017
- [Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]
Part I – PRELIMINARY
1. Short title.
This Act may be cited as the Prevention of Torture Act.2. Interpretation.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—"Board" means the Board of Trustees appointed under section 30 of the Victim Protection Act (Cap. 79A);"Cabinet Secretary" means the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to justice;"Commission" means the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights established under section 3 of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act (Cap. 7I);"cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment" includes a deliberate and aggravated treatment or punishment not amounting to torture, inflicted by a public officer or a person acting on behalf of a public officer against a person under their custody, causing suffering, gross humiliation or degradation to the person;"intermediary" means a person authorized by a court, on account of their expertise or experience, to give evidence on behalf of a vulnerable witness and may include a parent, relative, psychologist, counsellor, guardian, children's officer or social worker;"public officer" means a public officer as defined under Article 260 of the Constitution;"torture" has the meaning assigned to it in section 4;"victim" means a person subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or any other person who has suffered harm as a result of an act of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment; and"victim impact statement" means a statement by the victim or where incapacitated, the victim's representative, on the psychological, emotional, physical, economic or social impact of the offence committed against the victim and includes any recording, summary, transcript or copy thereof.3. Application of the Act.
This Act shall apply to the offences of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment where—Part II – CRIMES OF TORTURE AND CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT
4. Torture.
For the purposes of this Act, "torture" means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person—5. Offence of torture.
6. No justification for torture.
7. Offence of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
A person who—8. Aiding and Abetting.
A person who attempts, aids, abets, counsels, procures or conspires with another person to commit an offence under this Act commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen years or both.9. Offence of using information obtained through torture.
10. No immunity or amnesty.
There shall be no immunity or amnesty granted to a person accused of the offence of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.11. Sentencing.
Part III – POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
12. Powers and functions of the Commission.
Part IV – REMEDY FOR VICTIMS AND TRIAL OF OFFENDERS
13. Procedure for reporting and registration of offences under this Act.
14. Procedure of investigation.
Subject to section 13(5), an offence under this Act shall be investigated in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 75).15. Victim impact statement.
The prosecution in criminal proceedings relating to an offence under this Act, may adduce evidence relating to the circumstances surrounding the commission of an offence and the impact of the offence under this Act upon a victim—16. Vulnerable witness.
17. Remedies.
18. Civil action.
Despite any criminal proceedings instituted under this Act or any order made under section 17 as to restitution or compensation, a person may institute civil proceedings for compensation.19. Medical treatment and counselling of victim.
20. Transfer of detainees.
21. Restriction on extradition or deportation.
22. Assistance to communicate with representative.
Part V – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
23. Regulations.
The Cabinet Secretary may, in consultation with the Board, make regulations for the administration of the Victim Protection Trust Fund in relation to the implementation of this Act.24. General penalty.
A person who commits an offence under this Act for which a penalty is not prescribed, shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.25. Commission to submit annual report to National Assembly.
26. Spent
27. Spent
28. Spent
29. Spent
30. Limitation of actions.
31. Conflict of laws.
Where there is a conflict between the provisions of this Act and the provisions of any other law in regard to the crimes of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the provisions of this Act shall prevail.History of this document
31 December 2022 this version
Revised by
24th Annual Supplement
17 July 2017
Commenced
21 April 2017
20 April 2017
Commenced
13 April 2017
Assented to
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