President Uhuru Kenyatta granted pardons to 3,908 inmates during Madaraka Day celebrations, marking the final act of his presidency. The decision, announced at Uhuru Gardens, included commutations for petty offenders and those serving less than three months.
The president cited the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee's recommendations, stating the pardons aimed to restore public confidence in Kenya's justice system. "Reciprocate the generosity of your motherland through this act of mercy with high sense of civic duty," he urged the released inmates.
The constitutional provision allowing presidential pardons dates back to 2010. This marks the second major exercise of this power, following a 2016 pardon of 7,000 inmates during Mashujaa Day. The advisory committee, established under Article 133 of the Constitution, oversees recommendations for clemency.
In May 2022, Kenyatta directed the release of a Lang’ata Women’s Prison inmate through the same process. Legal procedures require compliance with probation reports and judicial oversight before sentence commutations take effect.