Prisoners want life sentence scrapped off

Prisoners want life sentence scrapped off

Inmates at Naivasha GK prison are preparing a petition to the national assembly to scrap the life sentence and replace it with a definite sentence.

The inmates were, however, grateful to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s act of mercy during the last Mashujaa Day when he pardoned more than 7, 000 prisoners and later commuted death sentences to life in prison.

“We are calling on the government to change the life and death sentences to years so that one can know which year [one] will leave prison,” appealed one of the inmates, Cliff Bikeri Mokua, who is serving a life sentence for robbery with violence.

Mokua said that the current prison system had helped them reform, adding that they need a second chance to reintegrate into the society.

Naivasha GK prison officer in charge, Patrick Mwenda, supported their plea noting that some of the inmates have stayed in the facility for more than two decades and have fully reformed.

Mwenda appealed to the Power of Mercy Committee to consider releasing the reformed prisoners, adding that such an act would give hope and encourage others behind bars to mend their ways.

The inmates got the rare opportunity to celebrate and air their grievances at a ‘Chapati Forum’ organized by Naivasha Rotarians.

The rehabilitation centre management thanked the Rotarians, noting that the support and donations were an encouragement to the inmates some of whom had given up on life.

On his part, the Rotary Club coordinator, Thomas Gichure, said this was part of their plan to support the less fortunate in the society.

“We are preparing 7,000 chapatis for our brothers as part of encouraging them and offering them and early Christmas gift,” said Gichure.

Written by Moses Ngugi

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death sentence life sentence Naivasha gk prison

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