Life sentences in Kenya mean prisoners stay locked up forever. Courts have ruled that these inmates cannot receive a shorter sentence for good behavior. The yearly reports meant to track their condition simply do not work. Their only hope comes from presidential mercy through a committee called POMAC. Many prisoners ask for mercy, but few details exist about who actually goes free.
People convicted of certain crimes must serve life terms. A man named Ayako received life imprisonment for attacking a young girl. His case traveled through different courts over many years. The Court of Appeal decided life should equal thirty years instead of forever. Later, the Supreme Court disagreed with this change.
The legal decisions create several problems. The Court of Appeal missed chances to make stronger arguments. The Supreme Court seemed worried about courts making decisions that perhaps Parliament should handle. This leaves life prisoners in limbo with little hope. Nobody wants to tackle these hard questions about long sentences. A judge who helped write the original law probably should not have decided on this case.
People convicted of certain crimes must serve life terms. A man named Ayako received life imprisonment for attacking a young girl. His case traveled through different courts over many years. The Court of Appeal decided life should equal thirty years instead of forever. Later, the Supreme Court disagreed with this change.
The legal decisions create several problems. The Court of Appeal missed chances to make stronger arguments. The Supreme Court seemed worried about courts making decisions that perhaps Parliament should handle. This leaves life prisoners in limbo with little hope. Nobody wants to tackle these hard questions about long sentences. A judge who helped write the original law probably should not have decided on this case.
