Babu Owino Proposes Bill to Expunge Criminal Records for Youth
Many Kenyan youths have been locked out of jobs...
✨ Key Highlights
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has proposed a bill to amend the Criminal Procedure Code, aiming to expunge criminal records for Kenyan youth who have served their sentences, excluding capital or sexual offenses. This initiative seeks to provide second chances for employment and reintegration into society, addressing concerns that minor or outdated convictions hinder job opportunities.
- Babu Owino's proposal was presented before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Thursday, August 14.
- The bill aims to establish a legal framework for removing certain convictions from police clearance certificates.
- The proposal draws inspiration from South Africa’s expungement model and addresses a 2020 High Court decision regarding the lack of a legal framework for expunging criminal records in Kenya.
- Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang cautioned against blanket clearance without proof of rehabilitation, while Ol Jorok MP Michael Muchira supported the bill on the principle of double jeopardy.
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Law Society of Kenya Challenges President on Senior Counsel Awards and Anticipatory Bail - August 2025
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has opposed a proposed amendment to the Advocates Act that would grant the President unilateral authority to confer the rank of Senior Counsel. The LSK and the Senior Counsel Bar warned this would politicize the honor. LSK President Faith Odhiambo also defended anticipatory bail, countering President William Ruto's claims that it shields corruption suspects by stating that strict legal thresholds are applied. In a related legislative development, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has proposed a bill to amend the Criminal Procedure Code. The bill aims to expunge criminal records for Kenyan youth who have served their sentences for non-capital or non-sexual offenses to improve their employment opportunities.
