Mohammed Abduba Dida, a former Kenyan presidential candidate known for his straight-talking persona, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Illinois, USA.

 

His conviction in 2022 left many shocked, as the former presidential candidate had previously made headlines for his bold and straightforward approach during Kenya’s 2013 and 2017 elections.

Dida, who had built a reputation as a teacher while also being politically independent, is currently held at the Big Muddy Correctional Center in Illinois. His charges included stalking and intimidating an individual in the US, which led to his two-year sentence. The court added five more years for aggravated stalking and violating a restraining order.

Before his legal troubles, Dida captivated Kenyans by positioning himself as an outsider willing to challenge political giants like Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. His performance in the 2013 presidential debates, where he used memorable phrases and showcased a unique sense of humor, gained him attention. Although he didn’t win, his candidacy under the Alliance for Real Change (ARC) party left a lasting impression.

Fast forward to 2022, Dida’s fall from grace was made official when he was sentenced in Illinois. Recently, in 2024, he filed a petition alleging that his constitutional rights were being violated in prison, citing denial of medical care and access to educational programs. However, the US courts dismissed his claims, stating they lacked constitutional grounds.

Despite his fall from the public eye, the 49-year-old remains active in prison, where he has taken up the role of a volunteer Imam.