At least 96 inmates were on Wednesday released from Murang’a Prison after the High Court reviewed 102 cases during a prison decongestion exercise led by Murang’a County Presiding Judge Cecilia Githua.
Speaking during the exercise at the Murang’a Prison, Justice Githua said the court had granted release orders for 96 prisoners whose cases qualified for review, noting that the initiative was aimed at easing congestion and promoting rehabilitation.
“We have dealt with 102 files and out of those we have been able to give orders for the release of 96 prisoners,” she said.
The judge urged the released inmates to refrain from criminal activities and to become positive examples in society, saying their conduct would determine public perception of the prison correction process.
“For you who have benefitted today, we expect you to go out there, be good examples to the community, and live upright lives so that society can appreciate the correction you have gone through,” she said, adding that they should become good ambassadors of the prison service and the decongestion programme.
Justice Githua also addressed inmates whose applications for sentence revision had not been successful, particularly those convicted of capital offences or offences under the Sexual Offences Act that attract minimum mandatory sentences.
She explained that courts are not permitted by law to review such sentences, rendering revision applications futile in those cases.
“The law prescribes minimum mandatory sentences for offences such as defilement and incest and if you are found guilty of such crimes, you must serve time,” she said.
She clarified that while the High Court declared the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional, the ruling does not apply to other minimum mandatory sentences provided for under the law.
“The High Court says minimum mandatory sentences are not unconstitutional. What was ruled unconstitutional is the mandatory death sentence only,” she stated.
The judge advised affected inmates to instead exercise their right of appeal, noting that a successful appeal could result in the sentence being overturned.
Justice Githua praised members of the High Court and probation officers who participated in the exercise, terming their efforts critical to the success of the decongestion initiative.
She was accompanied by members of the Court Users’ Committee, who visited the prison to share Christmas goodwill with inmates through the donation of food and personal hygiene items.
The judge encouraged prisoners serving the remainder of their sentences to remain patient, reminding them that they remain valued members of society.
“One day you will all get out of this prison. You are here to be rehabilitated and corrected so that you can change your outlook in life,” she said.
By Purity Mugo and Bernard Munyao
