Mary Wanjiku's hope of securing her freedom diminishes as she serves her 25-year sentence at the Lang'ata Women's Prison.
The 30-year-old convict is filled with monotony and isolation while pondering how a prerogative of mercy issued by former president Uhuru Kenyatta was not fulfilled, leaving her confined in prison.
To offer herself a glimmer of hope, Wanjiku attributed the government's silence to the transfer of power after the inauguration of President William Ruto.
However, twelve months after Uhuru pardoned her at State House in May 2022, the convict sought answers to her case. Wanjiku urged Ruto to heed her plea and revisit the order issued by his predecessor.
"The government went silent since the directive. I am begging President Ruto to grant my pardon," she stated on Inooro TV show Njeraini Citu on Sunday, June 18.
Wanjiku argued that she reformed, attributing her change to various courses, including hairdressing and beauty therapy. Upon her release, the convict added that she would use the skills and certificates to settle in society.
Winning Uhuru's Sympathy
While recalling her past, Wanjiku revealed that she gained nationwide fame after her chance meeting with Uhuru during the President's Award held at State House on May 13, 2022.
During his speech, Uhuru lauded the female prisoner for her courage in seeking assistance and used her analogy to explain why convicts deserve a second chance.
"You guys are very crafty. When you shake someone's hands, you leave a piece of paper stuck there. I will see how to respond to them. Hopefully, you have left your phone numbers, but some have the guts to speak out."
"There is this lady from Lang'ata Women's Prison. Where is she? There you are. (Former Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua), I direct you to assist her through the power of mercy, so that she can be pardoned. Everybody deserves a second chance," Uhuru stated.
The power of mercy is a Presidential Pardon stipulated in Article 133 (1) of the Constitution, mandating a sitting President to exercise his power in accordance with the advice of an Advisory Committee to remit all or part of a punishment.
Accused of Murder
Born and bred in Lanet, Nakuru, Wanjiku dropped out of high school due to financial constraints and secured employment as a waitress at a local club.
Her friends, however, lured her into a side hustle where they would earn an income illegally.
"We were a group of five, three men and two ladies, and the plan was to head to Matuu from Dandora to pick up a package full of cash. We boarded a taxi to head to the destination. On the way, one of the guys pleaded with the driver to temporarily halt."
"Suddenly, they dragged him out and beat him to a bloody pulp. He died. My friend and I were drunk at that time to comprehend the events," she recalled.
One of the three men, who accompanied Wanjiku and her friend seized the steering wheel and sped away from the scene. However, a few metres from the crime scene, the vehicle lost control and crashed into a ditch where the suspects were apprehended.
Owing to the taxi driver's murder, Wanjiku and her friends were handed death sentences in 2013 - with the three men sentenced to serve at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison and the ladies detained at Lang'ata Women's Prison.
Three years later, Wanjiku was among 2,747 convicts on death row who were granted a presidential pardon by former president Uhuru. Upon an appeal, her sentence was reduced to 25 years.
"This life is very unpredictable. My biggest regret is the bad company I associated myself with," a sorrowful Wanjiku stated.
