Ex-Journalist Moses Dola, in prison for 10 years over wife's murder, freed

Former journalist Moses Dola, who was sentenced to 10 years over the killing of his wife, has been released after spending over nine years in prison.

The release came following a directive from Chief Justice Martha Koome in 2022, which aimed at decongesting prison facilities across the country.

Justice Alexander Muteti on Thursday, March 6 approved Dola’s release taking into account the extensive period he had already served.

Muteti issued an order for Dola’s immediate release from prison unless he was lawfully held for another reason.

Dola, who had just eight months left to serve on his sentence, had filed an urgent application in October 2024 seeking his release from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, where he had been incarcerated for the manslaughter of his wife, fellow journalist Wambui Kabiru. 

His request was based on a Koome's directive which called for the review of criminal cases in a bid to alleviate overcrowding in the country's prisons.

"The Honorable Chief Justice, on December 7, 2022, directed all High Courts to conduct revisions in deserving cases, not only to facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders but also to address the urgent need to decongest our prisons. This process was to be carried out in collaboration with the Kenya Prisons Service. I humbly believe I deserve to be considered for this opportunity," Dola stated in his application.

In his plea for release, Dola expressed deep remorse for his actions, emphasising his regret and personal transformation.

He also highlighted the steps he had taken toward rehabilitation during his incarceration, including pursuing theological and legal training.

"I am greatly remorseful and plead for leniency from this Court. I have learned a hard lesson from this incident, and I am committed to becoming a good role model for others in the community to emulate," Dola wrote in his plea.

Adding: "As Confucius once said, 'We all have two lives. The second one starts when we realize we only have one.' Nothing could be more true in my situation today."

Dola’s has finally gained his freedom after he had previously filed two unsuccessful applications for release arguing that the courts had not taken into account the time he had already served before he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years.