It now emerges that a number of inmates the Kodiaga Prison in Kisumu will have it hard securing their freedom due to what they term foil play by the authorities.
The inmates, most of who are serving heavy sentences are decrying an alleged disappearance of their files in the courts, making it almost impossible to appeal their sentences.
Airing their plight during a sitting with officials from the Ombudsman's office on Monday, some of the prisoners termed it a scheme to pull out money in bribes from them.
One of such is Azir Johns, a robbery with violence convict who was jailed in 2009 and now claims that the disappearance of his file might condemn him to jail forever.
“I sent an appeal to the appellate court in Kisumu but the fate of that appeal remains unknown because the file is allegedly missing,” he was quoted by the Standard.
Others claimed that they have already completed their sentences but remain in custody due to a breakdown of communication between the court, themselves and lawyers.
One such is Lilian Anyango who claims that she was jailed for owing another woman some money but she remains behind bars even after paying her.
“I left my children alone and I am also sick. I have already cleared the debt I owed the woman who sued me,” she said.
Led by Mary Njoki, an administrative officer at the office of the ombudsman, the office vowed to address the issues raised by the inmates.
On her side, Kisumu High Court Deputy Registrar Angeline Odawo faulted claims that the files are lost, saying that they might only have been misplaced.