By Judy Jerono

President Uhuru Kenyatta has pardoned 3,908 inmates across the country who have been serving sentences of less than three months in detention.

Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Uhuru said an initiative is bound to change the inmates’ lives for the better adding that, those pardoned are petty offenders and inmates who are serving less than three months’ sentences.

“On this solemn occasion, we also reflect on the plight of our brothers and sisters who have run into headwinds with the law and are serving custodial sentences in our correctional facilities and reintegration of offenders; on the recommendation of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee, I have on this day exercised the presidential prerogative of pardon and granted a second chance to 3,908 inmates,” President Kenyatta said

Moreover, Uhuru urged the offenders to be change-makers in the society and to restore faith and confidence in the criminal justice system, furthermore to reciprocate the generosity of the motherland through the act of mercy.

“To those who have been pardoned, mine to you is that you should now be change makers in our society, and restore faith and confidence in our criminal justice system to reciprocate the generosity that has been shown by your motherland through this act of mercy, with a high sense of civic duty and service to your country,” he stated.

The head of state directed that the petty offenders’ sentences be commuted by the end of next week in full accordance with all legal procedures and processes and in cognizance of the inmates’ individual probation reports.