Woman Serving 10-Year Sentence Breaks Silence, Claims She Was Wrongfully Convicted

A woman serving a 10-year prison sentence has broken her silence, claiming she was wrongfully convicted following what she describes as a personal dispute that escalated into a criminal case.

Achieng, a businesswoman, was living alone in Kiserian where she operated a boutique. During one of her visits to her rural home, she met a young girl who was totally orphaned and living in difficult conditions. Moved by compassion, Achieng took the girl with her to Kiserian and enrolled her in school, taking full responsibility for her welfare.

According to Achieng, trouble began with a neighbour, identified as Sofia, who ran a club on the first floor of the same building where Achieng’s boutique was located. Sofia allegedly approached her one day claiming that her son, who was then in Standard Eight, was in a romantic relationship with the orphaned girl living with Achieng.

Achieng says she confronted the girl over the allegation, which the girl denied. She nonetheless warned her to keep her distance from Sofia’s son and cautioned that she would take her back to the village if the accusations persisted.

A few days later, Sofia allegedly confronted Achieng again, this time accusing her son of stealing money and giving it to Achieng to spend on herself and the orphaned girl. Achieng strongly denied the claims, stating that she earned her own income from her clothing business and did not rely on anyone else’s money.

According to Achieng, two weeks later she received a phone call inquiring about her whereabouts. She informed the caller that she was at a salon getting her hair done. Shortly afterwards, Sofia allegedly arrived at the salon accompanied by two police officers, leading to Achieng’s arrest and transfer to Kiserian Police Station.

Achieng says Sofia accused her of defiling her son—an allegation she maintains is completely false.

Having never been arrested or appeared in court before, Achieng says she was confused, frightened, and unaware of her legal rights. She was charged with defilement, lacked legal representation, and did not know the proper procedures for mounting a strong defence or filing an appeal.

She was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Now in her eighth year behind bars, Achieng continues to maintain her innocence and says she feels abandoned by the justice system. She further claims that Sofia later relocated from Kiserian and is currently living in Ngong.

Achieng is appealing to human rights organisations, legal aid groups, and well-wishers to help review her case, saying she hopes her story will spark renewed scrutiny into convictions involving vulnerable and unrepresented defendants.

Her case has once again raised concerns about access to legal representation, due process, and the vulnerability of individuals facing serious criminal charges without adequate legal support.