Joyous return of ex-convict

By Francis Ontomwa

When an Eldoret Court sentenced Ezekiel Shitsimi Kituyi to serve a jail term for defilement in 2007, his wife, Roselyne Muhonja, and parents broke down in tears.

Then the tears dried up as Muhonja and other family members went on with their lives while Kituyi served time, in addition to the five years he had already spent in remand awaiting judgement.

Ten years later, the tears sprung up again; but this time they were tears of joy as Kituyi walked out of Kakamega’s Shikusa Prison to freedom after completing his jail term.

“This is a turn-around in my life, I never believed that this day will ever come, surely God has been faithful to me,” said Kituyi, 36, from Ingolomosio village, Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega County.

Friends and faithful of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) turned out to welcome their beloved son back to the society with song and dance, receiving him from the rehabilitation centre where Kituyi was officially handed over by prison officers.

“Kituyi is like a hero today because he is a true testament that indeed people can change. In prison, we used to call him pastor and was a trustee, a high rank among prisoners,” said Japheth Onchiri, officer-in-charge of the facility who presided over the exit of the former prisoner.

Onchiri said he was confident that Kituyi was a respectable citizen and appealed to residents to accept him back.

New life

The prison authorities gave Kituyi a sewing machine after training as a tailor in prison to help him start a new life.

It was early 2002 when Kituyi was working in Lugari as a plumber for a businesswoman that trouble found him. According to Kituyi, the employer refused to pay him and when he pressed for his dues, she claimed he had defiled a minor.

“That is how my life turned upside down. I fell in the hands of the law and was jailed because I didn’t have money to hire a lawyer,” he says.

He, however, says he has forgiven those behind his woes and is ready to reconcile with the family in question.

“Prison was a learning experience for me. It has pulled me closer to God and all I want now is peace,” said Kituyi, who became an Adventist convert.

Notes John Mukanda who is still serving time: “He was a brother and a confidant. He used to encourage us in God’s ways. We will miss him but we are happy for his victory.”

After the celebration of his release, it was time to hit the road and head to his village at Ingolomosio in Shinyalu constituency where a huge party was prepared for the man.

The Standard team joined the prison officials and church members heading to the home. Kituyi led the way. Much had changed and at some point, Kituyi lost the way.

Screams of joy

When our entourage finally reached the compound, tears and screams of joy rent the air.

Kituyi’s mother, Evalina Masitsa, 60, cried as she hugged her son whom she had not seen since that judgement day, five years ago.

“I am lost for words...I haven’t seen my son this long. I never thought he’d ever come back,” says Masitsa.

Kituyi, a father of three children, aged between ten and 15, received warm welcome from his wife, Muhonja who said: “I can’t express my joy better; it is a reunion of a lifetime. I accept him with my whole heart.”

“We are all sinners and none is clean but when one changes we should welcome his bold move and live with him harmoniously,” said evangelist Salome Jepitok.

It is Kituyi’s hope that life as a free man will be a smooth journey.