Nairobi: The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei has reaffirmed the government's commitment to balancing justice with mercy, ensuring that rehabilitation remains a core pillar of the legal framework. He reiterated that the Power of Mercy, enshrined in Article 133 of the Constitution, allows the President to grant clemency upon recommendation from POMAC, adding that over the years, the initiative has transformed thousands of lives, reuniting families, and restoring communities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mr. Koskei was speaking in Nairobi when he presided over the launch of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC) Strategic Plan 2024-2028. 'This plan is more than just a document; it's a bold commitment to ensuring that mercy, justice, and redemption remain central to our legal system,' asserted Koskei. Further, Koskei revealed that the new five-year strategic plan will enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the clemency process.
Koskei also emphasized that the plan is anchored on four key strategic goals that will shape POMAC's operations, which include Enhancing Petition Processing Efficiency, ensuring that mercy applications are handled fairly, promptly, and transparently, and promoting Evidence-Based Decision-Making, in which strengthening research and investigations will ensure justice and mercy decisions are guided by data and thorough analysis.
The other goals include Enhancing Stakeholder Involvement through collaboration with justice institutions, correctional services, and the public, seen as crucial in collective justice delivery, as well as Strengthening Institutional Capacity where POMAC will adopt modern technology and improve service delivery, aligning with Kenya's digital transformation agenda as advocated through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
'Every petitioner has a story, a context, and a right to be heard,' Koskei emphasized. He added that to decentralize justice, POMAC services will be extended to eight regional offices, making clemency more accessible. This initiative, he added, is part of key reforms on expanding access and digitization of the prerogative power of the president. Additionally, he stated that the Multi-Agency Reintegration and Empowerment Committee will support pardoned individuals in re-entering society successfully.
Koskei applauded a major highlight of the strategy, which is the Electronic Power of Mercy Petitions Management Information System (ePOMPMIS), a digital platform designed to streamline petition processing. 'No more delays, no more uncertainties; justice will be served with efficiency and accountability,' he assured, urging that a successful implementation of the strategy will require collaboration from government agencies, justice institutions, civil society, and the public.
In addition, Koskei stressed that true reintegration starts with community acceptance and therefore urged Kenyans to support those granted clemency. Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG), Dorcas Oduor, who doubles up as the Chairperson of POMAC, emphasized the need for awareness and inclusivity in the exercise of mercy. 'Many affected families are not even aware of the Power of Mercy; therefore, we must enlighten them so they can take advantage of it,' she encouraged in a speech read on her behalf by the Solicitor General, Shadrack J. Mose.
Oduor affirmed that the Constitution allows the President under the Power of Mercy Article to grant pardons based on POMAC's recommendations and the strategic plan incorporates policy reforms, digitization, and global best practices to enhance efficiency. 'This is an extremely critical committee, and we must ensure this process benefits all who deserve a second chance,' recommended Oduor.
Echoing these sentiments was the Chief Executive Officer of POMAC, Lydia Muriuki, who outlined that the plan incorporates policy reforms, digitization, and global best practices to ensure that reformed individuals reintegrate into society. She further revealed that the strategic plan also introduces a framework for decision-making, partnerships with the Ministry of Health, and a criminal records policy to support rehabilitation.
By strengthening stakeholder collaboration and legal frameworks, Kenya aims to make clemency more accessible, fair, and transformative. With the official launch of the POMAC 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, Kenya reaffirms its dedication to justice with a human face, ensuring that punishment is not the end, but a step toward restoration.