Ruto Pardons: Joseph Irungu Maina among 4,799 Inmates Freed

• 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.

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.

Read also

William Ruto's monthly salary, benefits compared to Tanzania's Samia Suluhu

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.

Read also

DCI summons 3 MCAs allied to Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, 9 county officials

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.

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.

Read also

Kenya Power announces areas to experience electricity interruption on Friday, May 23

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.

Did Ruto pardon Ezekiel Chelimo?

The president's pardon was extended to 77-year-old Ezekiel Chelimo from Bugar, Elgeyo Marakwet.

Chelimo was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of defilement. He appealed the sentence thrice without success.

He was pardoned by the president after serving 14 years in jail.

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

Source: TUKO.co.ke