IJM Kenya: Jailed for a Crime They Did Not Commit, Two Men are Finally Free

The men were both arrested exactly two years ago and charged with robbery with violence – forced to languish in a Kenyan prison for a crime neither had committed.

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NAIROBI, KENYA – Two young men were released from prison late last week after being held unjustly for two years behind bars. The men were both arrested exactly two years ago and charged with robbery with violence – forced to languish in a Kenyan prison for a crime neither had committed.

IJM learned about the men, both in their early twenties, about a year and a half ago. Since then, IJM lawyers have represented them in court, urging the judge to release the men based on the lack of evidence connecting them to the crime. Numerous hearings were cancelled and rescheduled, resulting in a serious delay of justice.

"We have waited for this day for such a long time," exclaimed IJM Kenya's Samuel Karanja when the judge declared both men innocent and released them from jail. He added, "Now these men are free to go home and start rebuilding their lives."

Both men wish to return to their home country of Tanzania, and IJM will support them during this process.