4,700 inmates to be free after presidential pardon
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, who chairs the committee, said the decision affects 2,135 petty offenders and 2,664 others with six months or less remaining on their jail terms.
More than 4,700 prisoners serving short sentences will be released after President William Ruto remitted their remaining jail terms on the advice of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee.
In a gazette notice dated May 8, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, who chairs the committee, said the decision affects 2,135 petty offenders and 2,664 others with six months or less remaining on their jail terms.
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“2,135 petty or minor offenders of good conduct convicted to sentences of six (6) months; and (b) two thousand, 2,664 offenders who have sentence balances of six (6) months and below to serve,” reads the gazette notice.
The clemency is granted under Article 133 of the Constitution and Section 23 of the Power of Mercy Act, which allows the President to grant mercy on the advice of the committee.
Those released had demonstrated good conduct while in custody, according to the notice.
Last month, President William Ruto pardoned 57 prisoners across the country, granting them freedom using his constitutional powers of mercy.
The decision was based on recommendations from the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee and was officially announced on Monday.
The announcement was made by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
"His Excellency the President has extended the hand of clemency to fifty-six Kenyan citizens and one foreign national,” Koskei said in a statement.
Among those released, 31 prisoners serving life sentences were granted conditional release.
Additionally, 25 inmates had their remaining sentences reduced and were freed through remission.
A foreign national from an East African Community partner state was also released on condition that they would be repatriated.
The amnesty extended to petty offenders serving six months or less in jail.
Inmates with longer sentences but with less than six months remaining also benefited from the clemency.
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