For 20 years, Benson Ochieng spent his years in Nakuru GK prison for robbery with violence.

Then only 24 years old, Ochieng says he did not commit this crime but was involved with the group that committed the offence.

"The victim of the robbery ordeal singled me out of a line up but I did not participate in the robbery. It was only because I used to hang around the people who robbed him," he insists.

Right from the time of his arrest in 1999, Ochieng struggled with a lot of physical and mental torture.

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He attributes his traumatic experience to the fact that he was arrested during the KANU era, a period when the issue of physical torture by the police officers was rampant.

Benson Ochieng stayed in jail for 20 years after being found guilty of robbery with violence.

Photo credit: WINNIE KIMANI| MTAA WANGU

In an exclusive interview with Mtaa Wangu, Ochieng shares, how due to his lack of knowledge concerning the laws, he had a rough time getting legal representation to prove that he was innocent of the crime that saw him thrown behind bars.

On the other hand, he could not afford an advocate. Lack of witnesses was also a huge barrier that made his journey to justice harder.

"Every time I tried to appeal, it was rejected."

It was then that he opted to get basic legal education , with the help of Kituo cha Sheria.

Recalling his experience, Ochieng believes that the manner in which the trial was conducted right from the beginning was not fair, since it was not in accordance with the constitution as it is now.

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“While in prison, I only basked in the sun for fifteen minutes. Accessing the hospital was a problem. Visits by family was limited and the food was horrible,” Ochieng laments while revealing the challenges he faced.

Once his 20 years came to an end, he thought, life would be easier. Little did he know that he would have to deal with stigma from the society.

Ochieng also adds that other challenges ex-convicts face is their land getting grabbed after a long stay in prison.

“We also tend to live in fear of opening up because we are afraid of being judged. Not everyone will believe that you are reformed and all you want is to be integrated into the society,” he adds.

As a qualified paralegal, metal artisan and Ochieng now lives off his job as a welder in his workshop.

A section of Ochieng's welding workshop.

Photo credit: WINNIE KIMANI| MTAA WANGU

He was also lucky to find the love of his life with whom they were blessed with a two-year-old daughter.

"I am grateful that my family accepted me back home. My wife's family was also understanding and have been a great support system in my new life."
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Winnie Kimani