Convicts heave a sigh of relief as the petition process is digitized

Bungoma

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

KNA by Roseland Lumwamu

An electronic Petition Management Information System (ePMIS) that automates the end-to-end petition process has been developed.

The system, developed by the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC) will enable petitioners or their representatives to make a petition application online and track the status of the petition application.

The system was implemented on March 13 this year to enable the hearing process and interviews to be conducted thus petitioning of cases will now be made easier.

Power of Mercy Advisory Committee was established under Article 133 of the constitution of Kenya with its core mandate to advise the President on the exercise of the power of mercy.

Speaking during a meeting held on Tuesday to sensitize stakeholders POMAC Secretary Njinu Macharia, said that the process will reduce the time during which petitions are filed and verified.

He added that convicts from different prisons, do not have to travel to Nairobi to file petitions.

The new digitized system is open for public use and one can trace their convict on the platform without having to go to prison or court.

ePMIS is provided with spaces where the petitioner fills in the details of the convict and also his or her details.

However, Mr. Macharia said that they are facing a challenge as most of the inmates do not have identity cards.

"Many of the inmates do not have Identity cards, so it is hard to trace them as they might have been relocated to other prisons." Macharia disclosed.

Mr. Macharia mentioned that all convicts are allowed to file petitions and can be pardoned once they are recommended to the President to be freed.

Courtesy ; K. N. A