When it comes to politicians, several privileges often come into play, including the fact that many do not spend long periods in prison. However, some have not fully enjoyed these privileges, as they served nearly half a decade behind bars on various charges brought against them.
While ordinary Kenyans may spend many years in prison, some key political figures in the country have also faced incarceration.
Times Digital Kenya takes you through five renowned Kenyan politicians who served in prison for over five years.
George Anyona
George Moseti Anyona was not only a politician but also a pro-democracy activist who spent slightly over five years in detention and imprisonment. He went through different periods of incarceration.
His first detention was in 1977, when he was arrested for challenging a government tender and detained without trial. He spent one year in detention.
In 1982, he was arrested again alongside figures such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga over attempts to form a new opposition party (KASA). Following his arrest, he was detained for two years before being released in 1984.
He was arrested again in 1990 in connection with the fight for multiparty democracy. Anyona was charged with sedition alongside others, including Augustus Kathangu, Edward Oyugi, and Ngotho Kariuki.
They were sentenced to seven years in prison but were released roughly two years later on bail. During these periods, George Anyona was often held at Nyayo House torture chambers and in maximum-security prisons.
Raila Odinga
The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is another well-known leader who spent several years in prison in his early days.
This first came after the failed 1982 coup attempt, when he was arrested alongside others. Raila was detained without trial and spent nearly six years in prison before being released in February 1988.
Just months after his release, he was arrested again in August 1988, where he spent one year in detention. He was later detained again in connection with the fight for multipartyism in the early 1990s before being released in 1991.
Throughout this period, Raila Odinga was held in torture chambers such as Nyayo House, as well as in different prisons.
Jomo Kenyatta
Before he became Kenya’s president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta spent approximately nine years behind bars.
He was first arrested by the British colonial authorities in 1952 alongside five others, who were later named the Kapenguria Six. In 1953, Kenyatta was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment accompanied by hard labour.
After detention in different facilities such as Kapenguria, Lokitaung Prison, Lodwar, and Maralal, Jomo Kenyatta was released in August 1961.
A few months later, he became the president of KANU and later went on to serve as Kenya’s Prime Minister before becoming President in 1963.
Koigi wa Wamwere
Koigi wa Wamwere, a well-known political activist and politician in Kenya, was a voice of the oppressed during the regimes of Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi.
Following his fight for human rights, Koigi faced the wrath of the government for several years, which led him to spend roughly 13 years in prison.
His first detention came in 1975 under the Jomo Kenyatta regime, where he was accused of criticising the government and was detained without trial. He was later released in 1978.
In 1982, he was again detained without trial, this time under the Daniel Moi government. He was released two years later.
In 1990, treason charges were placed against him, and he was detained at Kamiti Prison, where he was tortured until his release in 1993.
In 1995, Koigi wa Wamwere was again sentenced, this time to four years in prison with hard labour. Fortunately, he was released in December 1996.
Paul Ngei
Just like Jomo Kenyatta, Paul Ngei was arrested in 1952 by the British colonial government. He was charged with being one of the leaders of the Mau Mau rebellion, a militant group seeking independence.
In 1953, Ngei was sentenced to seven years in prison alongside Jomo Kenyatta, Fred Kubai, Bildad Kaggia, Kung’u Karumba, and Achieng’ Oneko. Throughout his time in various prison facilities, Paul Ngei endured tough conditions. He was released in 1961 together with the other Kapenguria leaders.
