witness take oath but refuses to give evidence. (Law school bar/oral question)

The witness who takes oaths but  refuses to give  evidence  is known  as  refractory  witness.  If  a witness having  been  sworn  or  affirmed refuses to answer  any questions put  on him the court will  adjourn’ the case for  a period  of not more than  eight  days, and may in  meantime  commit  such person  to prison, unless he soon consents to do what  he is require of him see section 199(1) of Criminal  Procedure  Act  Cap 20.  Be  it  noted that, the court  will do so if  the witness offers no sufficient  excuse. Against  if after adjournment, the  witness continuous to refuse to answer questions put  to him the case will  be  adjourned for  a period not exceeding  eight  days  and the witness  will  be committed to prison as per  section 199(2) of  the  CPA.  Alternatively the court  may commit  such witness for  contempt of  court under  section 114(b) of Penal  Code and  be liable on conviction to imprisonment for  six months or  a fine not exceeding (500/=)  five  hundred shillings.

Further discussion:-  Other  circumstances falling  under  refractory witness are  in  section 199  of the CPA  and these are:

i). Where a witness refuses to be  sworn or  affirmed;  or                   

ii). Where a  witness refuses or  neglects to produce any documents or  things which he is  required to produce,  or                

iii). Where witness  refuses  to sign  his depositions. As to  what  writ  could be applied in  (i) to (iii)  above, refer  the above  discussion i.e.  section  199(1)  of the  CPA  and  section  199(2)  of the same will  apply  or  alternatively  section  114(b)  of the Penal  Code  may apply.

Further  discussion:-  Other  circumstances falling  under  refractory witness are  in  section 199  of the CPA  and these are: 

i). Where a witness refuses to be  sworn or  affirmed;  or                   

ii). Where a  witness refuses or  neglects to produce any documents or  things which he is  required to produce,  or                

iii). Where witness  refuses  to sign  his depositions.                             

As to  what  writ  could be applied in  (i) to (iii)  above, refer  the above  discussion i.e.  section  199(1)  of the  CPA  and  section  199(2) of the same will apply or  alternatively  section  114(b)  of the Penal  Code  may apply.