President William Ruto vacated the death penalty for all capital offenders to life in prison on Friday, July 21.
Ruto issued the directive following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy, according to a Gazette notice published by Attorney General Justin Muturi.
Muturi also stated that the directive would only apply to all death-row inmates as of November 21, 2022.
“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,” stated the notice.
In addition, the President pardoned 5,861 convicts serving minor sentences.
Among them were 2944 convicts sentenced to six months or less in prison. The convicts who were pardoned were said to have behaved well during their sentencing.
“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,” stated the notice.
Ruto’s directive was in line with Article 133 of the 2010 Constitution, which also gives the Head of State powers to postpone punishment outlined for convicts.
