We all know about Julius Wambua's story where he was sentenced to life for raping his daughter. After 9 years in Kamiti Maximum Prison, he was freed after his daughter recanted her statement.

Speaking to MassaweJapanni, Wambua said,

"My story started in 2011, April I was charged and jailed. I was charged with defiling my third child, she was 15 years old. I have 4 children one son and three daughters. My wife accused me of the crime. at the time we had been married for 28 years. I was given a life sentence to serve at Kamiti Maximum Prison."

He continued,

"In jail the only person on your side is God. You can get there and kill yourself on that same day, Wambua said.

Adding,

"In the prison cell you have to force yourself to get saved so that in case of anything, you go to heaven. I had planned to kill myself in the cell but I received some counselling while in there and that changed my mind."

Wambua narrated his journey through the courts and eventually getting sentenced.

"I was arrested on April 28, 2011, at 4 pm in the market while buying vegetables. When i was told the charges, I thought a lot of things about my daughter and her mother, considering I was taking good care of them. and the way the case was framed, I had no option but end up in prison. I knew my life was over."

In a jammed courtroom, Wambua had to live with the humiliation of his charges being broadcast in front of his family and people he did not know.

"I was humiliated because the court was full. I was feeling bad that this was happening, I was asking God, how this was happening to me with my credibility going down the drain. I thought bad things about her and my wife. I cried a lot."

His stint in prison lasted about 9 years.

"From the day I was imprisoned to date, we have never talked with my wife. However, forgiveness is very important. I had a life sentence I had no option but to forgive. when you walk into prison, you are given a striped uniform with the logo 'SW'. This means sahau wazazi, forget everyone you know because they will not be in your life," Wambua said.

He continued painting how his life in prison was like. At one point, he had an unexpected visitor.

"While in jail after 4 years, I was called by the officer in charge. I was afraid, so I hid, I thought I was in trouble. When I eventually went to the office I found the warden and my daughter was there, I just broke down and cried because I knew I was done, I thought she had come to say I should not be pardoned ever. I cried for an hour as they watched me. When she saw me she started crying too. I cried a lot of tears."

Asked what he thinks about his daughter, Wambua said,

"My daughter was asked to speak up about why she visited. She started crying and asking for forgiveness because the testimony she gave was false. She said, 'I was not taken to hospital all i was taken to was court to testify.' I told her I have forgiven her because I too, make mistakes."

Adding,

"I don't hate her at all, she is my daughter, and I don't hate the mother either." 

He concluded,

"The same child who got me jailed was the same one who set me free. I thank her for being brave and coming out to speak the truth. To date, I don't believe I'm free. Because people who are sentenced to life never get freed. "

While in prison Wambua was in charge of supervising cleanliness and he worked in the leather department.