Nairobi: After spending 24 years behind bars, Peter Kihiu Mwaniki, has finally stepped back into freedom not as the man he once was, but as a transformed figure determined to use his second chance to fight for justice and inspire others. His journey from a condemned prisoner to a budding lawyer is one of resilience, faith, and redemption.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwaniki, who hails from Nyandarua County, was only 22 years old when life took a twisted turn. Before his arrest, he worked for an Indian employer in Nairobi, a man who trusted him deeply and even offered him a job and a place to live. However, youthful recklessness and bad influence led him astray. “Because of my young age and greed for money, I got tempted to steal when my boss was abroad for business,” Mwaniki recalls. Together with a group of friends, he stole gold accessories, dollars, and cameras worth about Sh2 million, breaking his employer’s trust. In 2002, he was convicted of robbery with violence and sentenced to death.
His first appeal in 2005 was declined, and another one later also failed. However, in 2009, during President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, which in a way shed some light on his conviction. That hope grew brighter in 2019 when a petition successfully reduced his sentence to ten years.
By then, Peter had already begun transforming his life behind bars. He served his imprisonment in various prisons, where he chose to embrace education instead of despair. Before his conviction, Mwaniki had completed his KCSE examinations, scoring a C plain, which paved the way for him to begin his academic journey while in prison. Through KASNEB, he studied accounting, commerce, and storekeeping, completing eight units within three years. He also undertook theological and chaplaincy courses, which helped him grow spiritually and serve as a mentor to others.
In 2016, his determination caught the attention of Justice Defenders, a non-governmental organization that sponsors inmates to pursue legal studies. Through their support, Mwaniki enrolled for a law degree at the University of London, taking his classes through correspondence and virtual lectures. After years of perseverance, he graduated in 2023 alongside 27 other inmates from across the country.
Now free, Mwaniki is hoping to join the Kenya School of Law for advocacy training. His dream is to use his legal knowledge to support inmates and marginalized people seeking justice. Even while in prison, he helped fellow inmates write appeals and submissions, guiding them through complex legal procedures.
Beyond his academic achievements, Mwaniki’s faith has been a crucial anchor throughout his imprisonment. His family and the church have also been a source of strength, maintaining close contact with him and supporting his transformation. As he prepares to rebuild his life, Mwaniki acknowledges the social stigma that comes with being an ex-convict, but he remains hopeful that society will be more accepting of reformed ex-prisoners.
George Milanya, the Deputy Officer in Charge of Murang’a Prison, described Mwaniki as influential, disciplined, and of good conduct throughout his stay. Milanya noted that Mwaniki was ready for reintegration into society, with his home environment and community prepared to receive him. He emphasized the importance of rehabilitation through education and skills training, urging society to give reformed individuals a fair chance to rebuild their lives.