Seven years in prison for match-making

Woodford Okumu an Ex-convict who was senteced to 10 years imprisonment after being framed by a police officer. [PHOTO:MAUREEN ODIWUOR/STANDARD]

If I had known what I know now, I would have never made friends with the policeman who would turn my life upside down.

The man saw and fell in love with one of my cousins. He wanted to date her. When he asked me to help him win her, I did not think much of the request and gladly helped. I did manage to eventually hook them up and the two dated for a while.

I was to learn later there was trouble in ‘paradise’ after the man came to me claiming my cousin had infected him with HIV/Aids and that I was in on the plan. He believed I connected him with my cousin knowing very well she was infected. This led to a fight between us and threats that he would teach me a lesson.

What followed was torture in the hands of policemen who arrested me on March 27, 2007. Their ‘interrogation’ left me with internal injuries that needed medical attention. I was then arraigned in court charged with preparing to commit a felony and of being found in possession of a home-made gun. All fabricated charges.

I endured a 15 month trial and despite my not guilty plea, the Principal Magistrate’s Court in Migori found me guilty and sentenced me to 10 years. My appeal to the high court was also quashed and I then sought justice from the court of Appeal.

While waiting for the appellate court’s ruling, I had to adjust to life in prison. My children were nine and six-years-old when I was arrested and I missed out on a very large part of their life because I stopped my wife from bringing them to see me since they used to cry a lot. I became a computer tutor and was put in-charge of inmates in the many prisons where I was transferred.

My case finally came up for hearing on February 12, this year, at the Appeal Court in Kisumu. Justices David Maraga, Festus Azangalala and Sankale ole Kantai said it was clear that the allegation I had been found in possession of a home made gun was a later addition.

“One does not need to be a handwriting expert to see that. This bolsters his contention that the charges against him were a fabrication. Consequently we allow this appeal, quash his conviction and set aside the sentence,” they ruled and effectively brought my seven years behind bars to an end.

I have since forgiven the man who did this to me and now want to focus on being an ambassador for inmates.