An Irish pastor, Rory Bracken, has cast a harsh spotlight on the Kenyan justice system, recounting his harrowing experience in a Kenyan prison and calling on President William Ruto to intervene. Bracken’s story is a stark reminder of the long and often arduous road to justice, and his public plea is a challenge to the government to take responsibility for what he calls "malicious prosecution and mistreatment."
The pastor’s ordeal began in February 2019 when he was arrested and charged with failing to meet visa requirements and being in the country illegally. Despite his claims that his visit was lawful, he was held for 23 days at Kodiaga Prison in Kisumu County under what he described as "horrendous" conditions. Bracken recounted sleeping on bare concrete with little to no food and being exposed to Hepatitis B, an illness for which he had to bear the cost of treatment himself. This traumatic period was compounded by the struggle to raise a bond for his release and the fact that he was not allowed to leave the country for six months as his case dragged on.
Bracken's case, however, took a turn in his favor. A court ruled in his favor, awarding him a total of KSh 560,000 in compensation for malicious prosecution and legal fees. Yet, despite this legal victory, the compensation has not been paid to this day. It is this delay that has driven the pastor to speak out, expressing his frustration and appealing directly to President Ruto.
In an exclusive interview, Pastor Rory made it clear that his demand goes beyond financial compensation. He is seeking an official apology from the Kenyan government for the mistreatment he suffered, stating, "The Lord I serve is not happy with Kenya because I was mishandled for preaching the gospel." He also took the opportunity to critique what he sees as a system rife with corruption, urging the President to "stop corruption in Kenya because it's killing the nation."
Bracken’s appeal is particularly poignant when he contrasts his situation with the financial rewards promised to the national football team, the Harambee Stars. He found it "ridiculous" that the government is offering millions of shillings for athletic victories while failing to pay a court-ordered half-a-million shillings to a man who suffered a gross injustice. This comparison highlights a deep sense of injustice and underscores the chasm between public spectacle and administrative accountability.
