86 inmates released from Kodiaga in prison decongestion exercise

Justices Alfred Mabeya and Joe Omido of Kisumu High Court conduct a court session at Kodiaga Maximum Prison where they released 86 inmates in a decongestion exercise. /JUDICIARY

Chritsmas came early for 86 inmates after they were granted early freedom from Kisumu's Kodiaga Maximum Security Prison after judges and magistrates reviewed hundreds of cases in a prison decongestion exercise aimed at fast-tracking justice for vulnerable offenders.

The release followed a day-long review of more than 350 case files by judicial officers from the High Court in Kisumu, targeting inmates held for minor offences, those who had spent prolonged periods in remand, and cases deemed suitable for non-custodial sentences.

For many of the beneficiaries, the decision marked an unexpected reunion with family members just days before Christmas.

The exercise was led by Presiding Judge Alfred Mabeya and Justice Joe Omido, who were accompanied by Kisumu Chief Magistrate and Head of Station Dickson Onyango and High Court Deputy Registrar Getrude Serem.

It formed part of the Judiciary’s annual prison decongestion programme, which seeks to balance public safety with the constitutional right to a fair and expeditious trial.

In a statement, the Judiciary said the initiative was designed to ensure that justice does not stall behind prison walls.

“The Judiciary remains committed to ensuring that no person is unnecessarily deprived of liberty due to delays in the justice system,” the statement read, noting that decongestion exercises help “restore dignity and hope to deserving inmates while upholding the rule of law.”

Inside the prison walls, emotions ran high as names were read out and decisions delivered.

Some inmates broke down in tears on learning they would be released, while others sat quietly, absorbing the reality that their long wait for freedom was finally over.

Kisumu High Court Presiding Judge Alfred Mabeya hands over assorted goods donated by the Court Users Committee (CUC) in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) exercise to Kodiaga Prison Deputy Officer in Charge, Jeremiah Obiero. /JUDICIARY

Prison officers guided the newly freed inmates through final procedures as fellow prisoners watched on, many hopeful that their own cases would soon be reconsidered.

The review was conducted by the Kisumu High Court with the support of the Kisumu Court Users Committee (CUC).

Representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Kenya Prisons Service, the local Law Society of Kenya chapter and the Probation Department were present, underscoring the multi-agency approach required to address case backlogs and prison congestion.

Beyond the legal reviews, the visit also carried a human touch. In a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the judicial team donated assorted goods to inmates remaining at the facility to boost morale during the festive season.

The gesture was intended to remind inmates that rehabilitation, not just punishment, lies at the heart of the criminal justice system.

Judicial officers said such engagements help identify systemic challenges, including delayed investigations, stalled prosecutions and limited access to legal representation, which often contribute to overcrowding in correctional facilities.

They noted that continued collaboration between justice sector players is critical to reducing unnecessary pre-trial detention.

For the 86 inmates released, the exercise offered more than freedom. It provided a second chance—an opportunity to return to their communities, rebuild broken ties and start anew.

For those left behind, it reinforced a message echoed by the Judiciary throughout the visit: justice, though sometimes delayed, remains within reach.