Rueben Kigame, a well-known gospel singer who ran unsuccessfully for President in 2022, has appealed to President William Ruto to release petty offenders as an Easter gift to the nation.
Drawing inspiration from the Bible, Kigame pointed out that Barabbas, a notorious criminal, was set free by Pilate as the crowd demanded that Jesus be crucified.
He argued that the release of minor offenders could benefit the nation economically, as incarcerating them is more expensive than releasing them.
Kigame’s plea is based on Article 133 of the Constitution, which grants the President the Power of Mercy in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Power of Mercy.
This request comes shortly after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged judiciaries in Africa to embrace environmental conservation sentences for minor offenders, rather than custodial sentences, to alleviate prison overcrowding.
