Peter Githinji Kioi, a resident of Kiangothe village in Kirinyaga Central who was wrongly jailed for 13 years at King'ong'o Prisons, has been released.
Githinji was released after successfully appealing his conviction.
Githinji’s ordeal began when his wife accused him of defiling their daughter, a charge that led to his initial 20-year sentence.
"At first, my wife took me to court for allegedly assaulting her," Githinji recounted. When I was released, she went back to court and accused me of defiling my own daughter, which led to my 20-year sentence."
Githinji’s situation worsened when, after appealing the conviction, he was instead sentenced to life imprisonment—a fate he described as devastating.
Did you read this?
"I couldn't believe it when they handed down the life sentence. I cried out loud, knowing my life was about to be wasted," Githinji said.
Upon his return, Githinji was met by his siblings, who welcomed him home with open arms.
However, he found his immediate family had all but vanished.
I'm told my wife disappeared as soon as I was jailed. My two daughters are said to have gotten married, and my only son, Dennis Kioi, lives in a rented house at the local shopping center," Githinji explained.
The homecoming was bittersweet for Githinji, who discovered that his father, Bernard Kioi, had passed away during his time in prison.
His mother, Jane Wakabari, had also suffered a serious injury, losing one of her hands in an accident while preparing hay for her livestock.
Despite the challenges ahead, Githinji’s relatives, led by Lydiah Wambura, Julius Kithaka, and Jackline Muthoni, have pledged their support as he starts his life anew.
