President William Ruto at St Nicholas AIPCA Church, Kithaku, Meru County, for the Holy Oil Celebrations on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
PCS
President William Ruto has pardoned 56 Kenyans and one foreigner who were serving long jail term sentences in various prisons across the country.
In a statement on Monday, April 28, the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, confirmed that the president granted conditional release to 31 individuals who were serving life sentences and remission and release to 25 individuals.
According to Koskei, the foreigner was a citizen of the East African Community (EAC) and was granted a conditional and repatriation release.
Additionally, the president also extended amnesty to all petty offenders sentenced to six months or less and offenders serving sentences longer than six months, whose remaining terms are six months or less.
Prisoners Engagaging in Work in prison in Kwale County in January 2019.
NMG
"IT IS 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," the statement read
"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," it added.
According to Koskei, the president will publish extended details of the pardoning in this week's gazette notice.
The President, on the other hand, has stressed the need for the criminal justice system to uphold principles of reconciliation, restoration, and rehabilitation to ensure a smooth reabsorption of the individuals into the community.
"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 read.
The pardoning comes two days after the president, together with other leaders, including the National Assembly speaker, Moses Wetang'ula, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, attended the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, in Italy, after he concluded his official state visit in China.
Ruto was among 11 African Heads of State who were in attendance at a development that was confirmed by the Vatican.
Ruto's attendance at the funeral was despite reports that he had nominated Wetang’ula to represent him at the event that attracted notable world leaders such as United States President Donald Trump.
President William Ruto (left) being received by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula in Rome on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
PCS
