Leonard Wa Muthende (left) greets election petitioner Newton Kariuki Ndwiga inside the Embu High Court. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The petitions stem from the hotly contested Mbeere North by-election, which ended with Wa Muthende clinching the seat by a razor-thin margin, a result that has continued to stir political debate across the constituency.

The matter is before Justice Richard Mwongo, who during a pre-trial conference today 15th January 2026 indicated that the court would consider consolidating the two petitions into one, given that they raise similar issues of law and fact.

Two separate petitions are before the court,one filed by voters Julieta Karigi Kithumbu and Patrick Gitonga Gichoni, and another by Newton Kariuki Ndwiga, who was a candidate in the by-election.

Both petitions seek to nullify Wa Muthende’s election and compel the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a fresh poll in Mbeere North Constituency.

At the heart of the dispute is the identity of the declared winner. The petitioners argue that Wa Muthende legally changed his name from Leonard Muriuki Njeru to Leo Wa Muthende Njeru through a Deed Poll dated September 3, 2024, but that election materials continued to bear his former name.

They contend that this discrepancy violated constitutional and electoral law requirements that a candidate must be a registered voter under the same name used in the election, thereby rendering his candidature invalid.

The petitioners have further accused the IEBC and the Mbeere North Returning Officer of accepting nomination documents that allegedly carried inconsistent identities, saying this undermined the credibility of the electoral process.

Wa Muthende was declared winner after garnering 15,802 votes, narrowly defeating Newton Kariuki Ndwiga of the Democratic Party, who polled 15,308 votes in one of the closest by-elections in the country.

In Election Petition No. E002 of 2025, the IEBC is named as the 1st respondent, the Returning Officer as the 2nd respondent, John Kinyua as the 3rd respondent, and Wa Muthende as the 4th respondent.

The petitioners are represented by a team of senior advocates including Kariuki Njiru, Kibe Mungai, Ndegwa Njiru, Kiragu Wathuta, George Karuthui, Mary Gacheru, Angela Maina, Watere Wangui, Brian Micheni and Kiroko Ndegwa.

Wa Muthende on his defense is represented by Mwaniki Gachuba and Dr Adrian Kamotho Njenga, while the IEBC, the Returning Officer and Kinyua are represented by Charles Mwongela and Laureen Omondi.

However, during the pre-trial proceedings, the petitioners objected to the IEBC being represented by external lawyers, citing a High Court order issued in Nakuru barring public bodies from engaging private counsel where they have in-house legal officers.

Justice Mwongo directed the petitioners to file a formal application on the matter and serve all parties, as the court also gave directions on the possible consolidation of the two petitions.

The judge further ordered that all election materials, including ballot boxes and ballot papers, be secured at the Embu High Court under tight security and noted that election laws require the matter to be concluded within six months, with judgment expected by May 28th.

Security was heightened in and around the Embu High Court as supporters from both sides thronged the precincts, creating a tense atmosphere that mirrored the political stakes surrounding the fate of the Mbeere North parliamentary seat.

A Panga allegedly used to behead a 50-year-old woman in Kitui East. MWINGI TIMES

The woman was found dead in her home after a 30-year-old man allegedly severed her head using a panga during a minor argument. The suspect is said to have fled the scene immediately after committing the crime.

Confirming the incident, Kikuu Sub-Location Assistant Chief, Mr Justus Mutie Kisinga, said he was alerted by a member of the Nyumba Kumi initiative.“I received information from a Nyumba Kumi elder who informed me that a 50-year-old woman had been beheaded by a 30-year-old man known as Katuva Musingila, who then went into hiding,” said Mr Kisinga.

The assistant chief, accompanied by local residents, visited the scene and later contacted the police. Officers launched investigations and successfully traced and arrested the suspect from his hideout. He was taken to the nearest police station, where he is being held as investigations continue ahead of court proceedings.

Mr Kisinga condemned the brutal act and urged residents to seek peaceful ways of resolving conflicts.“I urge all residents, whenever disagreements arise, to involve a third party to help resolve disputes peacefully instead of resorting to violence,” he said.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

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Mbeere North MP Leonard Muthende (second left) at Embu High Court. He was accompanied accompanied by Embu County Assembly Speaker Josiah Thiriku. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The court premises are already busy with activity as lawyers, journalists, supporters and members of the public gather to witness the opening phase of the high-profile case.

The matter is being presided over by Embu High Court Judge Richard Mwongo, who is set to steer the proceedings in what is shaping up to be a fierce legal contest.

Both the petitioners and the defence are fielding top lawyers, signalling that neither side is taking chances in a case that could have major political consequences for Mbeere North.

The petition is filed by two petitioners together with Newton Kariuki Ndwiga, who also contested the Mbeere North parliamentary seat in the last general election.They are challenging the validity of Muthende’s win, arguing that the electoral process leading to his victory should be examined by the court.

Muthende, on his part, maintains that he is duly elected by the people of Mbeere North and remains confident that the court will uphold his mandate. Yesterday, Judge Mwongo reiterated that the constitutional six-month timeline for determining the petition remains in force and cannot be extended.

"We are working within a deadline of six months and by 28th May 2026 we should be delivering the judgement," said judge Mwongo when he met journalists yesterday.

This firm stance puts pressure on both sides to move swiftly as they prepare to present their arguments and evidence before the court.

As the pre-trial proceedings begin, all eyes remain fixed on the Embu High Court, where a political and legal showdown is now unfolding.

County Assembly of Kitui Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya (centre) celebrates receiving the 2025 Financial Reporting, FiRe, Awards with members of Audit and PIC Committees and County Assembly Service Board on January 13, 2026. |MWINGI TIMES

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants organises the awards to celebrate excellence in financial reporting,  transparency and accountability.  It also considers compliance with international standards for both public and private entities across the country. 

Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya received the prestigious award at the CPA Centre in Nairobi City. He was accompanied the House Leadership including Majority Leader Harrison Maluki, Public and Investments Accounts Committee, Audit Committee and the County Assembly Service Board.

ICPAK Chairperson, CPA Prof Elizabeth Kalunda Muvui and CEO, CPA Dr Grace Kamau congratulated the County Assembly of Kitui for winning the prestigious award.

Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Hon Geoffrey Ruku. |MWINGI TIMES

Known for his passion to succeed, youthful energy and unconventional leadership style, CS Ruku was appointed after serving only two years and seven months in elective politics(Mbeere North MP). While his elevation initially surprised observers, his performance has quickly validated the President’s confidence in him.

True to form, CS Ruku wasted no time settling into office. On his very first day after being sworn in at State House, Nairobi, he made an impromptu visit to Central Police Station, Nairobi, embarking on a fact-finding mission to assess service delivery to citizens at the frontline.

That unannounced visit set the tone for his tenure. Similar inspections of government offices across the country soon followed, with the CS consistently reiterating that public servants must uphold efficiency, integrity and responsiveness, in line with Articles 232 and 10 of the Constitution. What began as a one-off visit quickly became a defining trend of his leadership.

CS Ruku carried into National office the same energy that made him a darling of Mbeere North Constituency, a previously little-known semi-arid region he helped transform through development projects and people-centred initiatives. His hands-on style and accessibility endeared him to constituents and laid the foundation for his broader appeal.

One of his first flagship reform initiative at the ministry is “Huduma Smart Serikalini”, launched under the slogan “A fresh approach, timeless impact,” that has placed renewed emphasis on quality service delivery, accountability and citizen satisfaction across public institutions.

Under his watch, the State Department for Special Programmes has earned public praise for swift disaster response. CS Ruku has personally led interventions at major fire incidents and and disasters in the Country , most recently, the South C collapsed building, visiting the site at the wee hours of the night to ensure search, rescue and recovery operations were conducted safely and concluded as quickly as possible.

Behind the scenes, his Harambee House office has become a hive of activity, frequented daily by Kenyans from across the country seeking help. Sources say the CS is known to pick calls and respond to text messages from unsaved numbers and respond personally to citizens’ concerns.

A widely shared incident captured this ethos: when a pregnant woman from Bondo, struggling to afford a critical Anti-D injection, sought help at his office, CS Ruku personally walked out to meet her and paid for the medication without hesitation, allowing her to use the balance for basic needs. The act, though simple, resonated deeply with the public.

Unlike many technocrats who shy away from political engagement, CS Ruku has never avoided political proclamations. He is known to “take the bull by the horns” on contentious matters, openly defending the administration’s agenda.

This political confidence was on full display during the recent Mbeere North by-elections, where CS Ruku took a frontline role in campaigning for the UDA candidate, alongside Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki. The UDA victory not only reinforced Ruku’s influence on the ground but is now reshaping Mt Kenya politics, increasingly pitting DP Kindiki against his impeached predecessor Rigathi Gachagua who seems to have lost the grip of the Mountain despite chest thumping that he is undoubtedly the Mt Kenya King.

Barely a year into office, CS Geoffrey Ruku represents a new breed of Cabinet leadership, decisive, visible, politically grounded and deeply human. Whether inspecting police stations on day one, responding to disasters, or personally helping a struggling citizen, he has shown that public service can be both effective and compassionate.

It is this blend of action, empathy and boldness that explains his soaring approval ratings, and why many now view him as one of the administration’s most consequential figures.

Rainfall forecast for the month of January 2026.|KMD

The weatherman further predicts strong winds are likely to blow across most parts of the expansive county at a speed of 25knots or 12.86m/s. The Kenya Meteorological Department notes that the wind will be blowing from southerly to south easterly side of the devolved unit.

The next three months will be mainly sunny and dry, according to weather forecast by KMD seen by MWINGI TIMES. "A few areas may experience occasional rainy days ", the report further reads in part.

Eric Munene of Ciambugu, Mbeere North, clings to a tree in a 90-hour protest. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

Munene began the risky mission on Thursday last week at exactly 5pm, hugging a towering tree at the heart of Ciambugu market and vowing not to suspend the mission until the government listens to the cries of his community.

His demands were a proper health facilities, tarmac roads, and reliable water supply  services he says have been denied to the people of Ciambugu for far too long.

As hours turned into days, what started as a lone act of bravery quickly transformed into a powerful symbol of resistance and hope, drawing crowds from across Mbeere North and beyond.

Many had initially doubted whether Munene could survive even a single night on the tree, but he defied all expectations, enduring harsh sun, cold nights, hunger and physical exhaustion.

Traders abandoned their stalls and business in Ciambugu market nearly came to a halt as residents gathered below the tree to cheer him on, pray for him, and stand in solidarity.

Mothers brought their children, elders offered blessings, and youths kept vigil, turning the market into a living protest site driven by unity and shared frustration.

On Monday, 12th January 2025, Munene finally hit the 90-hour mark, triggering emotional scenes as the crowd erupted in applause, ululation and tears, celebrating a man who had pushed his body to the limit for the sake of his people.

Bancy Karimi, the wife of Eric Munene, described her husband as a determined go-getter who never gives up once he sets his mind on something. She revealed that before he began the daring 90-hour tree protest, she asked him whether he was sure he could complete it. “I asked him if he would really manage all those hours up there, and he confidently told me, "I will do it,"Bancy said.

Munene’s mother, Consolata Macharia, emotionally linked her son’s protest to a painful family experience. She recalled how Munene’s wife had to travel many kilometres to Embu Level Five Hospital to give birth because Ciambugu and the larger Nthawa area have no health facility. “My daughter-in-law delivered her baby at Embu Level Five Hospital because there is no hospital here in Ciambugu,” Consolata said adding that is why her son decided to take the bold step.

Consolata added that the long distance and poor roads make it difficult for expectant mothers and the sick to access timely medical care. “When someone falls ill here, they have to be rushed far away, and sometimes it becomes a matter of life and death,” she said, noting that Munene’s action was meant to highlight the daily struggles of ordinary families in the area.

Residents of Ciambugu and the wider Nthawa region have since praised Munene for standing up for the community. Many locals said his sacrifice had given voice to their long-standing grievances. “ Munene has spoken for all of us,"said Nebert Mugo.

Munene hopes his extreme action will now force the authorities to confront the reality facing Ciambugu residents. "We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for a health centre so that our people don’t die on the way to hospital, for roads so our produce can reach markets, and for water so our families can live with dignity,” he said.

His protest has since ignited fresh debate on how far citizens should go to be heard, and whether such dramatic acts are the only way marginalized communities can attract government attention.

Munene’s act joins a growing list of extraordinary public protests in Kenya, where citizens have in the past chained themselves to buildings, gone on hunger strikes, or camped outside government offices to demand justice and development.

As the dust settles in Ciambugu, the big question remains whether Munene’s 90-hour sacrifice will translate into real change or become yet another powerful cry in the long struggle for dignity and development.

Detaining the body of a deceased person has no legal foundation.|FILE

In Mutua  v Mater Misericordiae Hospital [2025] eKLR, the High Court emphatically held that there exists no law in Kenya permitting hospitals to detain patients or their remains to secure payment of hospital bills. The Court observed that since there is no property in a dead body, there can be no corresponding right of lien over it. The practice, though widespread, was described as “oppressive, unconscionable, and repugnant to justice and morality". 

Justice Sifuna further noted that upon death, the handling and disposal of human remains is governed by the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and applicable health protocols, which prioritize dignified disposal not commercial bargaining. The Court also confronted the human cost of this practice. It recognized that detaining bodies for debt recovery traumatizes bereaved families, disrespects the deceased, and is frequently used to embarrass, coerce, and emotionally blackmail families at their most vulnerable moment. 

In condemning this conduct, the Court reaffirmed that hospital and mortuary charges are ordinary civil debts, recoverable through lawful mechanisms such as demand and litigation, not through the detention of bodies. On this basis, the Court issued a mandatory injunction, ordering the immediate release of the deceased’s body upon payment of mortuary charges only, with the balance of the hospital bill to be pursued through civil recovery.

This decision is consistent with Kenya’s broader constitutional jurisprudence on human dignity under Article 28 and the right to health under Article 43. Human dignity does not end at death, nor can it be suspended by a billing dispute. 

Healthcare institutions exist to serve life and preserve dignity not to weaponize grief as a debt-collection tool.

The continued detention of bodies by hospitals is therefore not just unlawful; it is a moral failure and an institutional abuse of power. 

The Judiciary has done its part by declaring the practice illegal. What remains is decisive action by regulators, hospital boards, and policymakers to ensure compliance and accountability. Kenya must put an end to this practice and reaffirm a simple but profound principle: the dead are not collateral, and grief is not a bargaining chip.

Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya(centre, holding trophy) poses for a group photo with young people in Kivoi Ward, Mwingi Central sub county. He called upon them to register as voters to choose leaders during the upcoming 2027 General Election.|MWINGI TIMES

Speaking in Kivou ward,  Mwingi Central sub county, Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya urged the youth to turn up in large numbers in the ongoing Continous Voter Registration(CVR) terming them a powerful generation capable of shaping the future.

Speaker Katisya will be contesting for the Kitui Senator seat. He urged elected leaders to unite for equitable development of Kitui . He was speaking during the Fourth Finals Edition of Hon. Sammy Munyithya Cup.  He said the county can only achieve meaningful progress through sincere cooperation that transcends party affiliations,  generational divides and personal ambitions.

Lorries being offloaded illegally harvested sand at Kamuwongo river in Mwingi North sub county, Kitui county on October 13, 2024. Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has vowed to fight illegal sand harvesting in the county. |MWINGI TIMES

According to a press release from the senator's communications team,  the sand harvesting cartels have resorted to issuing threats to Senator Wambua."Self proclaimed sand harvesting cartels are already feeling the heat and have devised several fight back methods including sending barbaric text messages to woe him to stop his End to Sand Harvesting Push", the statement reads in part.

Senator Wambua said he will remain unmoved in fighting for the rights of current and future generations whose inheritance is being threatened by illegal sand harvesting cartels. He was speaking in separate burial ceremonies in Kitui West and Kitui Rural constituencies over the weekend.

 

Kitui County Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani.

During deliberations at a high level meeting held on December 18, 2025 stakeholders acknowledged a worsening trend which needs quick interventions.

The meeting co-chaired by Kitui County Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani and County Commissioner Erastus Mbui was also attended by Kitui county drought coordinator for NDMA Eunice Mutuku, development partners and line ministry staff from both national and county governments. 

The below average rainfall were characterised by false onset in late October leading to poor harvests, a report on the forum says.

As a result,  the County Steering Group came up with recommendations for better livelihoods of Kitui county residents. 

 They included scaling up food and cash assistance, rehabilitating water sources as well as supporting seed, kitchen gardens and small scale irrigation. The county will also enhance livestock diseases surveillance and strengthen nutrition screening and reporting.

Kenya Meteorological Department will play a key role in the drought phase given expected interventions are anchored on technical advice from KMD. Some of its recommendations include planting drought tolerant crops and aligning crop growing period with local rainy period. 

The weatherman also said going forward residents should embrace dry planting for better yields especially doing the  weeks before the onset of rains.

"Dry planting should happen a week before onset. Wet planting based on weekly forecast. Plant only when weekly forecast predicts more than three days of up to 20 mm rainfall", the report reads in part. It was based on OND rainfall season review by the weatherman.

Dr Augustine Kanani closed the meeting by appreciating all stakeholders and partners for taking part in the CSG meeting and their continued support.

St. Thomas Aquinas Igumori Secondary School erupted in celebrations after recording an impressive mean score of 7.6083, making it the second-best school in the area, narrowly behind Joseph Alamano Wachoro Secondary School, which posted 7.6087.

Collins Nyaga led the school with an A- (76 points), followed closely by Peter Mugendi, who earned a B+. The school also broke its own record by producing 105 candidates with C+ and above, all qualifying for university admission.

Speaking after the release of the results, Principal Patrick Mwaniki said the performance reflected a major improvement from last year’s mean grade of 6.5. He attributed the success to teamwork between teachers and learners, discipline, and early completion of the syllabus, which gives candidates enough time for revision.

St. Thomas Aquinas Igumori Secondary School Principal Paul Mwaniki congratulating Collins Kinyua who emerged position one in the school's KCSE examinations. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

“Our strategy has always been to finish the syllabus early so that students can have sufficient time to revise. That has paid off,” he said.

For Collins Nyaga, the results mark the beginning of a long-held dream of becoming a medical doctor. His journey, however, was far from smooth.

After completing primary school, Collins was admitted to Nyangwa Boys High School, but was forced to drop out when his parents could not raise school fees.

He later transferred to Igumori Secondary School in Form Three as a day scholar, a move made possible by his grandfather.

“I struggled a lot as a day scholar because household chores limited my study time,” Collins recalled.

His dedication and strong academic performance caught the attention of the school’s Board of Management, which later supported him to become a boarder,  a move he says changed everything.

“I am grateful to the school for believing in me and giving me the support I needed to focus on my studies,” he said.

The remarkable results have placed Igumori Secondary School on the academic map of Embu County, proving that even modest, rural schools can rise to national standards through determination and teamwork.

The late Nzeluni Assistant County Commissioner Josphat Kiok.|FILE

Senior police officers from the region visited the scene of crime and processed the scene. They included DCC Migwani sub county and Nzeluni police station officers.

Police took the body of the deceased to morgue awaiting further investigations. The deceased officer was serving in his current station after being transferred from Wote town in Makueni county.

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An image of a Jericho pistol. |FILE

While the police officer was away, gun shots rang inside the house to the chargrin  of neighbors. "At about 1630hrs, Inspector S.K., reported that after leaving his house within Kyuso Township where he had secured his loaded Jericho pistol,  he heard a gunshot", added the OB report.

It said that 30 minutes later the Inspector found his girlfriend,  Penina Mutethia, lying on the bed with a gunshot wound. The woman had two bullet holes on her body while one bullet head and one spent cartridge were recovered from the scene.

The injured  woman was rushed to hospital "in critical condition".  Investigations were still on ongoing by press time.

Farmers during training in Embu town. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The women, drawn from different parts of the county, came together to gain skills and knowledge designed to transform farming from subsistence activity into a sustainable and profitable venture.

The programme which was organized by the Women Farmers Association of Kenya (WOFAK) in collaboration with the Embu County Department of Agriculture saw farmers go through modern farming activities and pest control techniques aiming in a bid to ensure maximum production.

Speaking during the training in Embu town today 9th January 2025,  Embu County Chief Officer in charge of Agriculture, Njeru Mwita, emphasized the critical role women play in Kenya’s agricultural sector.

“Forty-three percent of farmers in Kenya are women, and that is the biggest percentage. Empowering women farmers is key to increasing yields and strengthening food security,” Mwita said.

He added that the county government will continue supporting women farmers through the distribution of quality seeds to boost food production.

“As a county, we shall be distributing seeds to support these women so that they can engage more in farming and increase food production,” he said.

WOFAK representative Winnie Murithi said the organization is working towards strengthening value chains that will unite women farmers in Embu County.

“We are mapping out a value chain that will bring women farmers together so that they can be empowered collectively and benefit more from their farming activities,” Murithi said.

She noted that WOFAK is evaluating sunflower farming as a viable venture for women farmers, with a focus on value addition.

“We are assessing sunflower farming to see whether women can engage in its production and later extract oil for added value,” she said.

The initiative also received support from the Rainforest Alliance through the Mt Kenya Sustainable Landscapes and Livelihoods programme.

Susan Kinyua from the Rainforest Alliance said their focus is to connect farmers with financial institutions to enable them to expand their enterprises.

“We will link these farmers with financial players who can offer sustainable financing so that they can scale up the enterprises they are planning to undertake,” Kinyua said.

Stakeholders said empowering women farmers with skills, inputs, and access to finance will significantly improve agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and food security in Embu County.

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Mr Elias Njeru, the Chairman of Boy Child Justice Alliance addressing press at Embu GK Prison on Wednesday, January 7,2026.MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The concerns were raised during a sensitization forum held at Embu G.K Prison today 7th January 2026, convened by the Boy Child Justice Alliance in collaboration with the Prison Administration. The forum brought together civil society actors, health professionals, and correctional officers to interrogate the impact of punitive laws on young men.

Speaking at the event, Patrick Nguu, Organizing Secretary of the Boy Child Justice Alliance CBO, argued that the legal system has increasingly tilted against the boy child, citing the Sexual Offences Act of 2006 as a key example. He noted that some convictions are secured solely on the testimony of a single witness, a standard he said exposes young men to wrongful or exaggerated prosecutions.

Nguu called for amendments to strengthen evidentiary thresholds and increase reliance on scientific and forensic proof. He claimed that a significant number of inmates are behind bars over consensual relationships that later escalate into criminal cases, sometimes fueled by family disputes or financial interests.

He further observed that limited legal awareness among young men often leaves them vulnerable during investigations and trials, underscoring the Alliance’s push for grassroots legal education to help youths understand and defend their rights.

“Parliament must urgently review the laws governing the prosecution of rape cases. Convicting a suspect on the testimony of a single witness is not fair. We need proper scientific and forensic tools to establish the truth, because many men in our prisons believe justice was not fairly administered,"said Nguu.

Echoing these sentiments, Elias Njeru Nyaga, Chairperson of the Boy Child Justice Alliance in Embu County, said the boy child has remained largely invisible in public policy and budget allocations. While women-focused empowerment initiatives continue to expand, he noted, programs addressing the unique challenges facing boys and men remain scarce.

Nyaga warned that excessively harsh sentences for minor offences have lifelong consequences, permanently disrupting education, employment, and family structures. He urged Parliament to urgently revisit laws he described as disproportionately punitive.

“Excluding the boy child from national initiatives is slowly killing an entire generation. When a man is lost, the future of society is placed at serious risk,” said Nyaga.

From a mental health perspective, Patrick Kariithi, Head of the Mental Wellness Department at Cynert Hospital Rehabilitation Center, raised alarm over the growing number of inmates under the age of 25. Many, he said, are serving sentences for drug use, alcohol abuse, and other minor offences that would be better addressed through rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

Kariithi called on parents, communities, and government agencies to work together to rescue vulnerable young men early, noting that rehabilitation centres have consistently demonstrated success in reforming behavior and restoring social responsibility.

 John Kanyugi, Deputy In-Charge of Embu G.K Prison, disclosed that the majority of inmates at the facility are serving lengthy sentences for sexual offences, with some ranging between 50 and 140 years.

Such sentences, Kanyugi said, effectively extinguish any realistic hope of rehabilitation or reintegration. He stressed that the core mandate of correctional facilities should be reform, not permanent punishment, and advocated for shorter custodial terms and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for less severe offences.

Our role is to reform those committed to our care. But when someone is sentenced to life, they ask us: after reform, where do I go if my entire life is meant to be spent in prison? We appeal for reduced sentences so that, once reformed, they can return to society and help build the nation,” he said.

Embu G.K Prison as of today holds 1,365 male inmates.