Joy engulfed Manyani Maximum security prison, Taita Taveta County when an inmate was acquitted after posting impressive Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results.
Juma Nyasi sat the KCPE exams this year and scored 401 marks, emerging among the top candidates within the county.
The inmate was serving a life sentence in prison for assaulting a three-year-old boy. In his defense, Juma disputed the claims, stating that he was wrongly implicated.
He, however, was acquitted of the charges after Justice John Mativo ordered his release owing to lack of evidence.
The 28-year-old inmate couldn't hide his emotions after his charges were acquitted.
"I am so happy. I cannot express how I am feeling right now. My focus is now on my education," he told the media.
Juma, who was initially sentenced in March 2021, decided to focus on his education as part of his resurgence in life.
It was the second time that he was sitting the KCPE exams after dropping out of secondary school, years before, due to lack of fees.
"I sat the KCPE exams at Kale Primary School in 2009 but dropped out of secondary school in 2011 after my sponsor passed on," he stated.
Juma urged well-wishers to come to his aid and sponsor the remaining part of his education. He also requested to be provided with other basic necessities.
"Right now, I don't know where I will get my school fees from, but God will provide. I am sending requests here and there to see whether I can get sponsors to fund my education," he noted.
Highlighting the prison life system, Juma revealed that the inmates behind bars can only access basic education programme that does not comprise secondary school curriculum.
He noted that with a better system and resources, inmates can acquire sufficient skills to fend for themselves once they serve their sentences.
"As inmates prepare to go back to society, they can be good citizens and make their lives better," he stated.
