Government reduces sentence for all death row inmates.
In a gazette notice by Attorney General Justin Muturi, The head of state, President Ruto stated that the Government reduces sentence for all death row inmates following the recommendation from the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy.
The notice read,” It is notified for the general information of the public that in the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 133 of the Constitution of Kenya and section 23 (1) of the Power of Mercy Act, 2011, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya, commuted the death sentence imposed on every capital offender as at November 21, 2022, to a life sentence.”
The commander in chief, also pardoned 5,861 convicts who were serving petty sentences, It is reported that they demonstrated good conduct during their time of sentencing.
The notice read,”The President upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy, remitted the unexpired portion of the respective sentences of 2917 long-term offenders who have sentence balances of six months and below to serve.”
According Article 133 of the 2010 Constitution, The Head of State has powers to postpone punishment outlined for convicts.
This comes weeks after Justices Pauline Nyamweya, Jessie Lesiit, and George Odunga declared that the death sentence goes against the main of conviction, which is rehabilitation
The also cited that their decision was guided by the Supreme Court nullifying the death sentence, adding that it was inhumane to sentence someone to a death sentence.
Also read Netizens react to Kalonzo’s house arrest