Ruto Surprises Nation by Granting Amnesty to Dozens
President William Ruto has granted clemency to 56 Kenyans and one foreign national who had been serving long-term jail sentences in different prisons across the country.
In a statement released on Monday, April 28, the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, confirmed that the president approved the conditional release of 31 inmates who were serving life sentences, along with remission and release for another 25 individuals.
Koskei explained that the foreign national pardoned is a citizen of the East African Community (EAC) and was given conditional release and repatriation.
In addition to these major pardons, President Ruto also extended amnesty to all petty offenders who were sentenced to six months or less.
He also included those serving longer sentences but whose remaining jail terms were six months or less.
“IT IS hereby notified that His Excellency the President, based on the advice of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC), has exercised the power of mercy as provided for under Article 133 of the Constitution,” the official statement read.
The statement further emphasized, “IN EXERCISING this constitutional authority, which promotes the spirit of rehabilitation and restorative justice, His Excellency the President has granted clemency to fifty-six Kenyan citizens and one foreign national who were serving lengthy prison terms across various correctional facilities.”
Koskei noted that full details of the individuals pardoned will be officially published in this week’s edition of the Kenya Gazette.
President Ruto also underlined the importance of the criminal justice system focusing more on the principles of reconciliation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reintegration to help former prisoners re-enter society successfully.
“To strengthen the arc of justice, His Excellency the President has called upon all players within the criminal justice system to find ways of better applying and promoting reconciliation, restoration, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community,” the statement added.
The pardons were announced just two days after President Ruto, together with key leaders like National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, attended the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, in Italy.
This came immediately after Ruto concluded an official state visit to China.
Ruto was among 11 African Heads of State present at the funeral, an event confirmed by the Vatican. Interestingly, earlier reports had indicated that Ruto had nominated Speaker Wetang’ula to represent him at the event, but he ended up attending personally.
The funeral drew several world leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that Jowie Irungu is among the 56 Kenyans who have benefited from the presidential pardon.
Jowie Irungu had been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty in the high-profile murder case of businesswoman Monica Kimani. The case gripped the entire nation and attracted intense public interest over several years.
News that Jowie might have been pardoned has sent shockwaves across Kenya, especially among those who closely followed the trial and believed that justice had finally been achieved.
If these reports are officially confirmed, Jowie Irungu could walk free much earlier than expected — a possibility that has triggered widespread debate and emotional reactions online and offline.
While some people argue that everyone deserves a second chance in life, others feel that those convicted of serious crimes like murder should not be forgiven so easily, regardless of the circumstances.
As the country awaits an official announcement from the relevant authorities, it is clear that Jowie’s story will once again dominate national conversations — from living rooms to newsrooms to social media platforms.
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