Former Kenyan Presidential Candidate Dida Serving Seven Years in US Jail for Stalking

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Mohamed Abduba Dida who ran for Kenya’s presidency in 2013 and 2017, is currently serving a seven-year sentence in a U.S. prison for stalking and intimidation.

Dida, 50, has been serving the prison sentense at the Big Muddy Correctional Center in Illinois since November 18, 2022, after being found guilty of two charges.

The first, classified as stalking and transmitting threats, earned him a 2-year prison sentence.

The second, for aggravated stalking and violating a restraining order, resulted in a 5-year sentence.

The offenses were committed in McLean County, Illinois.

Dida has however launched a complaint over the alleged violation of his constitutional rights, including the right to practice Islam and to observe the Islamic daily schedule of prayer.

“Plaintiff claims that now at Big Muddy he has been approved as a volunteer imam, but he has only been allowed one Friday prayer.

“He has otherwise been denied prayers before and after sunrise and sunset, and he has been denied three additional prayers,” reads a legal complaint filed in the US District Court, Southern District of Illinois.

Dida also complained that he needed a full shower on Friday before prayer, but despite many meetings about this, he has been unable to arrange it.

“He claims that even a single drop of urine nullifies his prayer, which makes it problematic to pray in a cell where toilets are co-located,” the complaint adds.

Dida is scheduled to be released on April 3, 2029.

• Additional reporting by agencies.