More than 2,700 criminals convicted to the death penalty can breathe a relief after the president Uhuru Kenyatta signed commutation of all death sentences to life imprisonment Monday afternoon at State House, Nairobi.
The 2,747 death row convicts will now serve life imprisonment.
This came after the Head of State invoked the Power of Mercy provided for under Article 133 of the Constitution and also signed a pardon warrant and released 102 long-term serving convicts after a thorough vetting done by the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee.
The event was attended by Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai, Chief Justice David Maraga, Prison Service boss Isaiah Osugo among other senior State officials.
The death pardon comes after the president also ordered the release of 7,000 criminals wore had been convicted after they were found guilty of committing petty crimes.
During the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Machakos, the president said that the move will help decongest the correctional facilities and create room for those who have been leading in graft cases yet they have not been charged.