Ruth Kamande, a convict serving a life sentence for murder, is among inmates who graduated with a Law degree from the University of London at Kamiti Maximum Prison.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, November 27, Kamande described her academic milestone as a new beginning in her life.
“We are here to celebrate this new chapter with a new story which all of you have participated in rewriting. We are not only here to celebrate graduates from the University of London but also those who have successfully studied law behind bars,” she said in her speech.
“Graduates who are well transformed, rehabilitated, and reformed. Graduates whose stories have been uniquely rewritten by all of you.” She added,
Kamande was convicted in 2018 for the murder of her boyfriend, Farid Mohamed Halim, whom she stabbed 25 times during a heated argument in September 2015. Following her arrest, she faced charges of murder.
During her trial, which attracted widespread media attention, Kamande claimed she acted in self-defense, alleging Halim had attacked her first. However, the prosecution argued the nature of the attack suggested premeditation rather than self-defense.
The High Court found her guilty of murder, sentencing her to death in 2018. Kamande appealed the ruling, but in 2020, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision, stating:
“Having carefully examined the evidence on record, we find the conclusion that the appellant violently, intentionally, and unlawfully killed the deceased inescapable. On our own analysis, we find no fault and agree entirely with the learned Judge’s finding.”
In July 2023, President William Ruto commuted Kamande’s death sentence to life imprisonment as part of broader reforms within the penal system.
The commutation allowed Kamande to appeal to the Supreme Court on grounds relating to battered woman syndrome, a defense rarely explored in Kenya’s legal system.
“We have looked at the issues raised by the applicant and note that the issue surrounding battered woman syndrome is relatively new in the country and has not been thoroughly examined. We feel this matter warrants interrogation by the Supreme Court,” stated justices Asike Makhandia, Agnes Murgor, and Sankale ole Kantai.
While Kamande remains incarcerated at Kamiti Maximum Prison, her graduation symbolizes a new chapter of personal transformation, rehabilitation, and academic success.
