A petitioner is challenging the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences for sex crimes in Kenya, arguing they deny judges essential discretion.

• The petition seeks to scrap fixed sentences like life imprisonment for defiling a child under 11 and 10 years for rape.
• Petitioner Jonathan Obwogi is seeking to establish that these mandatory minimums violate constitutional rights, drawing parallels to a Supreme Court ruling on mandatory death sentences.
• The State, through the Attorney General's office, is opposing the case, claiming the issues have already been settled by superior courts.
• Civil society groups like FIDA have shown interest in the case, which could significantly alter sentencing practices if successful.