Amos Kiruku was released after serving a 10-year sentence for allegedly attempting to defile a four-year-old child, maintaining his innocence throughout the ordeal. The conviction stemmed from an incident in September 2007, when he claims he was falsely accused by neighbors after a child was found in his home.
Kiruku described being attacked by a mob after the child’s presence was discovered. He used a traditional weapon to defend himself before reporting the incident to local authorities. Despite his account, he was arrested and convicted in 2010, spending time in Kamiti, King’on’go, Naivasha, and Athi River prisons.
During his incarceration, Kiruku rose to become a prison prefect, leveraging leadership skills developed during his 1986 job at Bata, Limuru. He also taught leatherwork to fellow inmates, sharing techniques learned during his employment. "I made a covenant with God that the first thing I would do when I go back home was to make peace with those who threw me in jail," he said.
Upon release, Kiruku faced rejection from family members and struggled to restart his life. He now operates a small shoe-repair business, seeking Sh30,000 to expand operations. "People should stop condemning ex-convicts because they are human too," he stated. He called on the government to improve support systems for former prisoners.
