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• Fri May 30 2025

At least 4,700 prisoners have benefited from President William Ruto's power of mercy after he granted them a pardon

A total of 4,799 convicts submitted their petitions to the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC) seeking to have their jail terms cancelled

Upon POMAC's review, the president remitted the unexpired portions of the inmates, most of whom have been in jail for not less than seven years

Nairobi: At least 4,799 inmates were freed by virtue of President William Ruto's prerogative of mercy after serving years in jail.

President William Ruto in a past address to the nation from State House, Nairobi. Photo: William Ruto.

Source: Facebook

As indicated in a gazette notice published on May 23 by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, the president pardoned the inmates in line with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy.

Which prisoners did William Ruto free?

The mercy was extended to petty offenders sentenced to six months and other prisoners who had served their respective jail terms and had six months remaining.

A total of 2,135 petty or minor offenders of good conduct convicted to sentences of six months were released, and an additional 2,664 offenders who had six months or less remaining before the end of their jail periods.

Most of the pardonees have been behind bars for at least seven years, with others having sentences of over 15 years.

Below are a few who have benefited from the president's power of mercy.

ELD/3042/2018/LS Alfred Kimutai Kipkosgei ELD/2301/2015/LS Ezekeil Kiposgei Chelimo NAV/483/2016/LS Lelai Eregai KAM/1194/2011/LS Joseph Wanga Aburiri KAM/1592/2013/LS Cosmas Nzuki Valiki KAM/263/2014/LS Samuel Kilonzo Musau KAM/371/2010/LS Samson Lumumba Mulama KAM/1081/2013/LS Lokwakeju Lengeron KAM/342/200/LS Reuben Mwangi Gitau NAV/1717/2016/LF Gerishon Kubai Mwithia KAM/1881/2010/LS Peter Kibue Wanyeki NAV/636/2016/LS Robert Wekesa Simitu NAV/025/2017/LS Julius Yaula Sindani NAV/900/2018/LS Edson Boli Mazai NAV/793/2017/LS Tom Musaika Kuloba NAV/2182/2016/LS Samuel Kipkoech Rono NAV/144/2027/LS Munyiri Ndirangu NAV/1636/2013/LS Silvanus Emoit Sindano NAV/801/2013/LS Chrispinus Sifuna Sudi NAV/653/2012/LS Titus Chepreti Mongoi NAV/1454/2016/LS Sammy Lotore NAV/ 219/2015/LS Joseph Irungu Maina NAV/345/018/LS Joseph Mwangi Githaiga NAV/1201/2014/LS Samuel Korgoren Metit NAV/225/015/LS Edward Shivachi Makongo NAV/1128/014/LS Jacob Kahiga Ndung? EMB/181/018/LS Francis Njeru Kabuthi KMU/1133/06/L Gabriel Wabwire Baraza NAV/1070/016 David Lowar SHO/129/2017/LS Reuben Mulatia

How does Kenyan president grant pardon to convicts?

As earlier indicated, it is in the place of the president to grant clemency to convicts serving their various sentences.

As mandated by the constitution, President William Ruto reserves the right to grant pardon to convicts. Photo: William Ruto.

Source: Twitter

The president's action is, however, guided by the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC), which assesses the sentences, the magnitude of the case, the character of the offender and public interest before determining the suitability for pardon.

A convicted person is at liberty to seek a presidential pardon, and hence can submit the request for mercy at will.

Upon submission of the request, POMAC reviews it in line with the aforementioned parameters before giving counsel to the president.

The head of state may then decide of his own volition to offer a full pardon, postpone the sentence or reduce or cancel the sentence altogether.

Did Ruto release Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu?

In the meanwhile, a confusion arose over the identity of one of the president's recent pardonees.

A prisoner named "Joseph Maina Irungu" was among the people Ruto granted clemency in the May 23 gazette notice.

This particular prisoner's pardon was taken with exception as Kenyans mistook him for "Joseph "Jowie" Irungu", who was handed a death sentence last year for having murdered businesswoman Monica Kimani.

It took the intervention of the State House, Nairobi, to clarify that the pardonee in question was not Jowie, but a namesake of his.

The idea of Jowie getting a pardon fueled fury owing to the nature of the crime he committed.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke