- They include Lorna Mumelo, Patrick Musila, John Olaka, Edward Boor, Rev Humpton Namu, Bishar Abdullahi and Jane Kuria.
- The ceremony took place at the Supreme Court.
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Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi on Friday presided over the swearing-in of seven independent members of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee (POMAC).
They include Lorna Mumelo, Patrick Musila, John Olaka, Edward Boor, Rev Humpton Namu, Bishar Abdullahi and Jane Kuria.
The ceremony took place at the Supreme Court.
The swearing-in follows a gazette notice dated October 5, 2023, in which President William re-constituted the Advisory Committee and appointed the seven.
Days after the appointment, the Cabinet approved the policy on the Power of Mercy.
In a dispatch by the State House, the Cabinet said the policy will help to better promote the rehabilitation of offenders in a manner that does not imperil public safety or negate the concerns of victims.
"The policy guidelines provide for the criteria for the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy as set out under Article 133 of the Constitution," the dispatch read.
The Power of Mercy is an Act housed under the Constitution in Article 133.
It bestows upon the president a special authority to grant pardons or commutations of sentences to rehabilitated and deserving offenders.
The president acts in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee.
Under Article 133, the Committee includes the Attorney General who is the chairperson, the CS responsible for correctional services and at least five other members.
The five are not supposed to be state officers or in public service.
The aforementioned seven independent members of the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee are appointed in accordance with the provision of the Power of Mercy Act 2011.
They serve on a part-time basis.
The Committee's roles include undertaking or commissioning research and collecting data on matters relating to the power of mercy.
It is also expected to work with State organs responsible for correctional services to educate persons in correctional services on the power of mercy and procedures relating to applications for its exercise.
Further, it is mandated to carry out any necessary investigations required to make a determination on a petition for power of mercy.
The Advisory Committee is to partner with state and non-state actors to educate the public on the nature and implications of the power of mercy and undertake such other activities as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions and the exercise of its powers.
It is also expected to carry out any other functions as may be conferred on it under any other written law.