Evidence Law: Character of the Accused Person

Section 55-57 of the Kenya evidence Act
CHARACTER
55. Character in civil cases
(1) In civil cases, the fact that the character of any person concerned is such
as to render probable or improbable any conduct imputed to him is inadmissible
except in so far as such character appears from facts otherwise admissible.
(2) In civil cases, the fact that the character of any person is such as to affect
the amount of damages, is admissible.
56. Good character in criminal cases
In criminal proceedings, the fact that the person accused is of a good character
is admissible.
57. Bad character in criminal cases
(1) In criminal proceedings the fact that the accused person has committed or
been convicted of or charged with any offence other than that with which he is then
charged, or is of bad character, is inadmissible unless—
(aa) such evidence is otherwise admissible as evidence of a fact in issue
or is directly relevant to a fact in issue; or
(a) the proof that he has committed or been convicted of such other
offence is admissible under section 14 or section 15 of this Act to show
that he is guilty of the offence with which he is then charged; or
(b) he has personally or by his advocate asked questions of a witness for
the prosecution with a view to establishing his own character, or has
given evidence of his own good character; or
(c) the nature or conduct of the defence is such as to involve imputations
on the character of the complainant or of a witness for the prosecution;
or
(d) he has given evidence against any other person charged with the
same offence:
Provided that the court may, in its discretion, direct that specific
evidence on the ground of the exception referred to in paragraph (c)
of this subsection shall not be led if, in the opinion of the court, the
prejudicial effect of such evidence upon the person accused will so
outweigh the damage done by imputations on the character of the
complainant or of any witness for the prosecution as to prevent a fair
trial.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, evidence of
previous conviction for an offence may be given in a criminal trial after conviction
of the accused person, for the purpose of affecting the sentence to be awarded by the court.