The sentencing of Joseph Irungu alias Jowie in the murder case of Monica Kimani has sparked discussions about the death sentence in Kenya.
Crime si poa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Ouko detailed the processes surrounding the death penalty.
Speaking to Citizen TV, Ouko who was once sentenced to death, explained that a convict proceeds to the court cells for processing immediately after the verdict is announced.
Afterwards, Ouko says convicts are taken back to remands or maybe taken straight to the maximum-security prison nearest to where they have been convicted.
Maximum Security prisons in Kenya include Kamiti, Kibos, Shimo la tewa, Manyani, Lang’ata women’s prison, Kisumu, Naivasha and Kingongo.
“In the case of Jowie for example, the closest maximum prison is Kamiti, so capital remands charged with murder are all at Industrial Area and so the moment they are convicted they either go back to clear or they are taken straight to Kamiti,” he said.
However, prisons under the order of Commissioner General of Prisons can also opt to transfer the convict to another maximum-security prison.
What Happens When Death Sentence Convicts Get to Prison?
Upon arrival at the Maximum Prison, Ouko explains that the convicts undergo the normal process just like the other prisoners.
They are received at the reception which is the documentation office where they are given new sets of prison uniform, a bag where they can keep other clothes and later assigned a cell room.
“If they arrive in good time before dinner of course they will be served the normal prison food. You got to your cell depending on the number, capacity, and the prison, it could be anything from three to five or more,” he said.
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Are the Convicts Treated Differently?
Ouko maintained that people serving death sentence are not treated differently from other inmates or segregated.
“It is not what it used to be, for example when I went to prison it wasn’t what it is today. So, the moment one gets in there they are assigned quarters, they are given the prison garb and then they go,” Ouko said.
The CEO explained that the death sentence convicts wear similar uniform and keep neatly shaved hair just like the other prisoners.
“Nobody is treated differently if you have long hair of course you’ll have hair shaved. You don’t need to keep long hair in prison anyway. There are no different uniforms, you’ll be given the prison garb, and you’ll wear it,” Ouko explained.
Education Facilities in Prisons
Additionally, Ouko stated that all the prisoners can continue with their education and attain technical skills.
According to him, life continues even while serving a death sentence as every prisoner is allowed to study.
“Everything goes on in the prison set up, there is a school within prison, and you can go to school even if you are on death row,” he said.
He also explained that death penalty convicts have visitation rights and can have both friends and family visit.
Ouko further explained that there are open days when families can visit the prisons and hang out with the those on death row.
He also revealed what happens in case a prisoner under death row dies noting that the family is informed to pick the body for burial.
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He dismissed the rumor that deceased prisoners who were on death row are buried within the cells.
“If you by chance lose your life in prison your family is notified, and they take you for burial. So, there is dignity even in death,” he explained.
Ouko’s Death Sentence
Ouko was charged with murder, convicted, and sentenced to death in 1998.
He was sent to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison where he served for 18 years.
Ouko started Crime Si Poa, which means “crime is not cool” in Swahili in 2007 while still on death row. Also, he became the first Kenyan inmate to earn a Diploma in common law in 2014.
The ex-convict received an official pardon from the Kenyan president and was released in 2016.
