President William Ruto has granted clemency to fifty-six Kenyan citizens and one foreign national who were serving long-term jail sentences across the country.
In a statement on Monday, April 28, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the action was taken following recommendations of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC).
"It us notified that His Excellency the President, in accordance with the recommendations of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC), has exercised the prerogative of power of mercy conferred upon the Head of State and Government under article 133 of the Constitution.
"In exercising this presidential authority that breathes life into the principles of rehabilitation and restorative justice, His Excellency the President has extended the hand of clemency to fifty-six Kenyan citizens and one foreign national, all of whom were serving long jail-term sentences in various prisons in our country," the statement read.
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According to the statement, conditional release was granted to thirty-one petitioners who were serving life sentences.
Additionally, conditional release and repatriation was granted to one foreign national, a citizen of an East African country, who was also serving a life sentence.
Lastly, remission and release was granted to twenty-five individuals, allowing for their discharge upon remission of the unexpired portions of their custodial sentences.
In addition to the individual clemencies, Ruto also extended a general amnesty to all petty offenders sentenced to six months or less, as well as offenders serving longer sentences whose remaining term is now six months or less.
"To strengthen the arc of justice, the Head of State and government has urged all stakeholders within the criminal justice system to explore ways in which the principles of reconciliation, restoration, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community can be more effectively expressed and implemented," the statement added.
Koskei noted that the full particulars of the presidential actions will be published in the upcoming issue of the Kenya Gazette.
