What is the punishment for assault?
Penal Code · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Common assault can mean up to 1 year in jail. Assault causing actual bodily harm can mean up to 5 years, and unlawfully causing grievous (serious) harm is a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment.
- Where
- Any police station (emergency: 999, 112 or 911); the case is then heard in court
Steps
- Report the assault to the police. In an emergency, call 999, 112 or 911.
- Ask the police for a P3 form; a doctor fills it in to record your injuries in assault cases. The form is free.
- If the attacker is convicted, the court can order them to pay you compensation for your injuries.
Watch out
- For common assault, the court may encourage the two sides to settle (for example by paying compensation) and then stop the case.
- Assault causing actual bodily harm is still legally a misdemeanour, even though the maximum is 5 years.
Who this covers
- Grievous harm means harm like a maim, harm that endangers life, permanent disfigurement, or serious or permanent injury to health or to any organ or sense.
Official sources (4)
- Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 75) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Penal Code (Cap. 63) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- P3 Form (Medical examination report) kenyapolice.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Kenya Police Service home page kenyapolice.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026