Man returns home after 10 years in prison, says he was wrongly convicted

Kinyua, who was arrested in 2017 at the age of 31, was released on Wednesday after serving 10 years in prison over a robbery case involving the killing of a fellow boda boda operator and the theft of his motorcycle.

He was convicted in 2020 and served his sentence at Mwea and Kerugoya GK prisons.

Speaking during the celebrations at his home, Kinyua maintained that he was innocent of the offence, saying he was shocked when he was arrested after his friend died following a robbery.

“We were operating together. My friend was robbed by unknown people and beaten. After the incident, we took him to White Rose Private Hospital, then to Mwea Mission Hospital and later to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he died,” Kinyua said.

He claimed that relatives of the deceased later implicated him in the incident, leading to his arrest.

“I was shocked after the deceased's relatives framed me and I was arrested. I have forgiven them. I am free today over an incident I never committed,” he said.

Kinyua described his decade in prison as a painful experience, particularly because he had left behind a young family.

“It was painful to be in prison for over 10 years, where I had left my family with nothing. To be in prison is not a joke. I was arrested when I was 31 years old and now I am 41,” he said.

Despite the difficult years, Kinyua said he used his time in prison to acquire skills and deepen his faith.

He trained in carpentry, attaining Grades One, Two and Three, and later trained in upholstery, where he also attained Grades One, Two and Three.

He also became active in the prison church, serving as its chairman and undertaking theological studies.

“I have done several courses, including a Diploma in Theology and a Diploma in Bible Studies, and I am about to graduate with a Higher Diploma in Theology from the PCEA church,” he said.

Kinyua said one of his greatest joys after his release was finding his family and friends alive and well.

“I am happy to see my friends, relatives and family alive,” he said.

His mother, Felister Wambura, said the family's 10-year ordeal had been difficult, revealing that she developed diabetes after her first-born son was arrested.

“He is my first-born. I have three children. I have been visiting him and praying to God, and today our prayers have been answered,” she said through tears.

For his wife, Grace Wanjiru, the past decade meant raising their two children without their father.

“Ten years was not a joke, taking care of two children he left behind. He left our first-born in Class Six, but right now she is in university. The second one he left in PP2, but right now he is big,” she said.

Prison authorities said Kinyua had undergone rehabilitation and was considered ready to return to the community.

Nicholas Wandeto, the officer in charge at Kerugoya Prison, said Kinyua had responded well to rehabilitation programmes and urged the community to support him.

“He started rehabilitation well in prison and we hope he will use his courses in carpentry and theology well. He has changed, and I am urging the community to receive him well,” Wandeto said.

He asked the community not to judge Kinyua solely on the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

“They should not judge him by how he was when he was arrested, but receive him well in the community,” he said.

Sergeant John Nderitu, the Social Welfare Officer at Kerugoya Prison, said preparations for Kinyua's reintegration into the community began three months ago.

He said prison authorities, together with local community leaders, assessed his conduct and progress before his release.

“The board sits down to see whether a person who has stayed long in prison can be released, where even the area chief is involved, and we noted he has reformed. He was a very disciplined inmate,” Nderitu said.

He urged the community to avoid stigmatising Kinyua as he rebuilds his life outside prison.

Rev. Francis Wachira, who has supported Kinyua since his arrest, accompanied him from prison to his rural home and prayed for his new beginning.

“We need help from the community. Let the community help him to succeed in life,” Rev. Wachira said.