- Daniel Wanyeki Gachoka, 59, was released after the High Court ruled his 17-year imprisonment was unlawful.
- The court overturned his life sentence after his daughters confessed to giving false testimony under family pressure.
- Despite the ruling, the ODPP has called for a fresh trial.
- Wanyeki has been re-arrested and is held at Ruiru Police Station.
In a dramatic turn of events, Daniel Wanyeki Gachoka, 59, who spent 17 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, has been freed by the Kiambu High Court, only to face the prospect of a fresh trial.
High Court Overturns Conviction
Wanyeki was serving a life sentence at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison after being convicted in 2007 for allegedly defiling his two underage daughters. Last week, the High Court declared his conviction unlawful, citing a confession by his now-adult daughters that they had been coerced into giving false evidence by their grandmother.
The court accepted their testimonies, which revealed that the accusations were fabricated under family pressure.
ODPP Recommends a New Trial
Despite the court’s ruling, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has recommended a fresh trial. Wanyeki was re-arrested and is currently held at Ruiru Police Station pending further proceedings.
The ODPP’s decision has sparked debate, with many questioning whether a retrial is necessary after the High Court’s ruling and the daughters’ confession.
Daniel Wanyeki Gachoka’s case highlights the complexities of justice and the long-lasting impact of wrongful convictions. While his release after 17 years offers a glimpse of redemption, the ODPP’s call for a new trial suggests that his legal battles are far from over. The pursuit of justice must now weigh the court’s findings against the need for further scrutiny
