Court frees death row convict after 10 years in jail

This is how Peter Gatiku Kariuki, 55, with his lawyer John Swaka (right), reacted after he was acquitted of robbery with violence charges by the Court of Appeal Monday. [Photo: Fidelis Kabunyi/Standard]

After spending the last 10 years in Kamiti Maximum Prison, Peter Gatiku Kariuki, a death row convict, is now a free man. The 55-year-old father of six was acquitted by the Court of Appeal Monday.

Mr Gatiku could not believe his ears when justices GBM Kariuki, John Mwera and Agnes Murgor quashed the death sentence and allowed the appeal. The judges faulted both the trial court and the High Court for their decisions.