A Kiserian businesswoman identified as Achieng has spoken out from prison, insisting that she was wrongly convicted and handed a 10-year jail term following what she claims were false accusations and a flawed court process.
Now in her eighth year behind bars, Achieng says her ordeal began after a disagreement with a neighbour spiralled into a serious criminal case that permanently altered her life.
Life before arrest
Before her arrest, Achieng lived alone in Kiserian, where she ran a small clothing boutique. She says the business was her sole source of income and enabled her to live a modest but stable life.
During one visit to her rural home, Achieng met a young girl who had lost both parents and was struggling to survive. Moved by compassion, she brought the child to Kiserian, enrolled her in school, and took full responsibility for her welfare.
Tension with neighbour
Achieng’s boutique was located on the ground floor of a building, while her neighbour, identified as Sofia, operated a nightclub on the first floor.
According to Achieng, their relationship was cordial at first, but tensions emerged when Sofia made disturbing claims. She allegedly accused her Standard Eight son of being romantically involved with the orphaned girl living with Achieng.
Shocked, Achieng says she immediately confronted the girl, who denied the allegations. She warned the child to keep her distance from Sofia’s son and threatened to send her back to the village if the accusations persisted.
Believing the matter had ended, Achieng returned to her normal routine.
Accusations escalate
Days later, Sofia allegedly confronted her again — this time accusing her own son of stealing money and giving it to Achieng. Sofia claimed Achieng was using the money to live luxuriously with the orphaned girl.
Achieng firmly denied the accusation, maintaining that she earned her income through honest work at her boutique and depended on no one financially.
Arrest and conviction
About two weeks later, Achieng says she received a phone call asking for her whereabouts. She replied that she was at a salon.
Moments later, Sofia reportedly arrived at the salon accompanied by two police officers, who arrested Achieng and took her to Kiserian Police Station.
It was there that she learned she had been accused of defiling Sofia’s son.
Achieng says she was overwhelmed and
confused. She had no legal representation, no prior experience with the justice system, and little understanding of court procedures.
Despite maintaining her innocence, the court eventually found her guilty and sentenced her to 10 years in prison — a sentence she insists was unjust.
“I was silenced”
From prison, Achieng continues to insist that she was framed and denied a fair chance to defend herself. As she serves the final years of her sentence, she hopes her story will spark public attention and renewed scrutiny of cases involving vulnerable defendants without legal support.
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