CHICAGO — Mohammed Abduba Dida, the former Kenyan presidential contender, has been released from a US prison after serving three years for violating a restraining order involving his American wife.
Dida, known in Kenya for his outspoken style and sharp political wit, walked out of Big Muddy Correctional Centre in Illinois on March 3. He had been behind bars since late 2022.
Originally handed a seven-year sentence, Dida was granted parole—a conditional early release that allows him to serve the remainder of his sentence under supervision within the community.
Court documents show that Dida was convicted of stalking and intimidation after repeatedly violating a legal order that barred him from approaching his wife’s residence in the Midwest. The final breach occurred when he entered a mosque located near the protected zone.
“He went there to pray, not realising it was within a restricted area,” said a family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the case freely. “It wasn’t intentional. That’s where they both used to worship.”
Despite the conviction, Dida’s relatives maintain that the incident was a misunderstanding. They are now urging the Kenyan government to offer legal assistance and consular support.
The US legal system considers a restraining order a serious matter. Once in place, breaching it—even inadvertently—can result in arrest and imprisonment.
Dida’s case highlights the cultural and legal complexities faced by immigrants in foreign jurisdictions. In Kenya, he remains a known public figure, having vied for the presidency twice—first in 2013, and again in 2017.
While he has largely stayed out of the limelight in recent years, his imprisonment stirred debate online and among diaspora communities. Some sympathised with his plight; others pointed to the seriousness of the charges.
Under the terms of his parole, Dida is expected to remain in the United States and engage in community work—likely charity or faith-based efforts—for the remainder of his sentence.
As of now, there has been no public comment from Dida himself or from US authorities overseeing his release. Attempts to reach his legal team were unsuccessful.
Whether this marks a quiet return to private life or a step towards a political comeback remains to be seen. For now, Mohammed Dida is a free man—but his journey is far from over.
