Madaraka Day Gift: Uhuru pardons 3,908 inmates

President Uhuru Kenyatta has pardoned over 3,000 inmates convicted of various offenses in his final Madaraka Day celebrations.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Uhuru Gardens, the head of state directed that petty offenders and inmates serving sentences of less than 3 months be pardoned in line with the law.

“On the recommendation of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee, I have on this day exercised the presidential prerogative of pardon and granted a second chance to 3,908 inmates,” he stated

“I, therefore, direct that their sentences be commuted by the end of next week in full compliance with all legal procedures and processes and in cognizance of the inmates’ individual probation report.”

The President called upon those pardoned to be change makers in the society saying the move will go a long way in restoring faith and confidence in the country’s criminal justice system.

“Reciprocate the generosity of your motherland through this act of mercy with high sense of civic duty and service to your country,” he urged

The Kenyan Constitution gives the President the power of granting a free or conditional pardon to a person convicted of an offense and also substituting a less severe form of punishment.

In 2016, the President invoked the Power of Mercy and pardoned 7,000 petty offenders during Mashujaa Day celebrations.

On May 13, Uhuru sympathized with an inmate serving at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison during an Award Ceremony in State House Nairobi. He ordered the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to facilitate the release of the inmate through the Power of Mercy.

The President invokes his powers after being advised by the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee which is a constitutional body established pursuant to Article 133 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

The Power of Mercy is a prerogative power conferred upon the President by the Constitution and it entails granting pardon to reformed and rehabilitated convicted criminal offenders deserving early release from prison.