President William Ruto has granted pardons and clemency to 57 individuals serving custodial sentences in prisons across Kenya, in a move aimed at strengthening the principles of rehabilitation and restorative justice.
In a statement issued by Head of Public Service Felix Koskey, it was announced that 56 Kenyan citizens and one foreign national are among those who benefited from the presidential prerogative of mercy, a constitutional power exercised on the recommendation of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC).“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,” said Koskey.
According to the notification, 31 petitioners serving life sentences were granted Conditional Release, while the foreign national, a citizen of an East African Community Partner State, was granted Conditional Release and Repatriation after serving a life sentence.
In addition, 25 individuals were granted Remission and Release, allowing them to be discharged after remission of the remaining portions of their sentences.President Ruto also extended General Amnesty to all petty offenders who were sentenced to six months or less, and to those serving longer sentences whose remaining terms have been reduced to six months or less.
Koskey emphasized that the move underscores President Ruto’s commitment to promoting a justice system centered on reconciliation, restoration, and community reintegration.“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,” he stated.
The exercise reflects a broader push to humanize the penal system and enhance the rehabilitation of offenders as a key pillar of Kenya’s justice reforms.
