Man Walks Free After 24 Years in Murang’a Prison

After spending 24 years behind bars, Peter Kihiu Mwaniki is finally a free man. On Friday, October 24, 2025, the 46-year-old walked out of Murang’a GK Prison, closing a long and painful chapter that began when he was sentenced to death at just 22 years old for robbery with violence.

Before his arrest in 2002, Mwaniki worked for an Indian employer in Nairobi who trusted him deeply, offering him both a job and a place to live. However, he admits that greed and bad influence from friends pushed him to make a life-altering mistake. “We stole gold accessories, cameras, and dollars. Since my employer trusted me so much, I became the prime suspect, and he had me arrested,” he recalled.

Mwaniki’s death sentence was overwhelming. “The death sentence was devastating. I felt I had lost everything and had no hope of living,” he said. His first appeal in 2005 was rejected, but in 2009, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, giving him a glimmer of hope. Ten years later, in 2019, a second appeal reduced his sentence to ten years, setting him on the path to eventual freedom.

How Did Education Transform His Life Behind Bars?

Determined to turn his life around, Mwaniki devoted himself to education and self-reform. While in prison, he sat for the KCSE and scored a C plain, becoming one of the most educated inmates in Murang’a Prison. He then pursued professional courses in accounting, commerce, and storekeeping through KASNEB, completing eight units within three years.

His academic journey didn’t stop there. Through Justice Defenders, a non-governmental organisation supporting inmates’ education, Mwaniki enrolled for a law degree at the University of London via correspondence and virtual lectures. He proudly graduated in 2023 alongside 27 other inmates. “This is the biggest achievement so far. It has helped transform my life, and I am ready for a fresh start,” he said.

What Lies Ahead for Mwaniki After His Release?

Now free, Mwaniki hopes to join the Kenya School of Law to become a qualified advocate and use his legal knowledge to support inmates and marginalized communities. Fully aware of the stigma surrounding ex-convicts, he appealed to Kenyans to give reformed individuals like him a second chance.

Murang’a Prison Deputy Officer-in-Charge, George Milanya, praised Mwaniki’s transformation. “Mwaniki has shown remarkable transformation both academically and behaviorally. He has been a role model to his fellow inmates,” he noted, adding that the prison continues to focus on rehabilitation through education and skills training in fields such as carpentry, masonry, and farming.

As Mwaniki prepares to return home to Nyandarua County, probation officers have assured that his community is ready to receive him warmly. His story stands as a powerful reminder that education, faith, and determination can rebuild even the most broken lives.

By Modester Nasimiyu