Inside Story: Former Kenyan Presidential Candidate Mohamed Abduba Dida Serving 7-Year U.S Prison Sentence for Stalking
Former presidential candidate Mohamed Abduba Dida, once a teacher and twice a contender for the presidency, is now serving a seven-year sentence in a U.S. prison after being convicted of stalking and making threats.
Dida is currently held at the Big Muddy Correctional Center in Illinois, where he has been incarcerated since November 18, 2022. He was found guilty of stalking and intimidating an unnamed person in the state of Illinois.
Although the victim’s identity remains unconfirmed by Nation, records from Big Muddy Correctional Center show Dida faced two separate charges.
The offenses were committed in Mclean County, Illinois.
On the first charge, Dida was convicted of stalking and issuing threats, which resulted in a two-year prison sentence.
On the second charge, he was found guilty of aggravated stalking and violating a restraining order, which led to his seven-year sentence.
Dida was initially jailed in July 2021, but the reasons for the delay in sentencing are unclear.
He is set to be released on April 3, 2029, pending any changes to his sentence.
Dida has filed a petition seeking religious freedom, revealing that Big Muddy is the third prison facility to house him.
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This conviction marks a sharp downfall for Dida, who once advocated for moral leadership and a corruption-free state during his presidential campaigns.
Dida made his political debut in 2013, running under the Alliance for Real Change with running mate Joshua Odongo, despite being relatively unknown in national politics and unaffiliated with any major political party. He hoped to shake up the dominant contest between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
His appearance in a presidential debate helped him gain instant fame, with his forthright responses to key issues like corruption resonating with many voters.
Dida likened his political struggle to the biblical tale of David and Goliath, envisioning himself as David facing off against the political giants of Kenya, including Kenyatta and Odinga.
In a notable interview with Citizen TV, Dida expressed confidence in his ability to overcome his rivals, comparing his late entry into the race to David’s last-minute victory over Goliath.
Some saw Dida as a direct speaker, while others viewed him as overambitious. Nonetheless, his candidacy gained attention.
“Kenya is too small for me, gentlemen. I can man the five continents, and I have the potential and sincerity… I came late, nimekuja mwisho na nitarusha tu moja na itaisha,” Dida confidently said in his 2013 Citizen TV interview, ahead of his 15-day campaign.
Although Dida’s political journey didn’t mirror the David versus Goliath battle, he finished fifth in the election, securing 54,840 votes, ahead of prominent figures like former Justice Minister Martha Karua and former MP Paul Muite.
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During his campaign, Dida also made headlines for rejecting two assigned police officers, instead requesting 20 security personnel, a demand that was ultimately denied.
In his second presidential run, Dida finished fourth with 38,004 votes, outpacing another well-known politician, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo. Afterward, Dida maintained a low profile.
It remains unclear if Dida had relocated to the U.S. or was just visiting when the crimes occurred.
On April 15, 2024, Dida filed a petition against Kimberly Hvarre, the warden of Big Muddy Correctional Center, for allegedly violating his right to practice Islam.
Judge Gilbert C. Sison, who presided over the case, noted that it was unclear whether Dida’s petition was based on the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment or the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). The judge acknowledged that Dida had raised significant legal issues, as both the First Amendment and RLUIPA protect religious rights.
The judge indicated that the next step would involve determining the correct defendants and notifying them of the case. A hearing date will be set once the appropriate parties have been served.
Dida’s petition claims that while at East Moline Correctional Center from April to October 2022, he was only allowed to pray once a week in the facility’s church.
At the Southwestern Correctional Center, where he was held between December 2022 and January 2023, he was granted limited prayer opportunities.
After negotiating with the Southwestern chaplain, Dida was given slightly more freedom for prayers.
In one incident, Dida alleges that he was handcuffed and forced to strip during prayer, leading to his eventual transfer to Big Muddy.
While at Big Muddy, he spent a month in segregation, which coincided with an extension of his sentence.
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Currently, Dida volunteers as an Imam at Big Muddy and is allowed to lead prayers every Friday.
Court documents detail Dida’s complaints that essential aspects of his prayers are hindered. For instance, he cannot always face the correct direction during prayer, and he struggles to perform the necessary cleansing rituals. He also expressed concerns about not being able to pray at specific times.
While Dida recently moved to a single cell, alleviating some issues, he still struggles to secure a full shower before Friday prayers, despite multiple requests.
Due to these restrictions, Dida refrained from participating in Ramadan this year.
Judge Sison warned Dida that the trial process would be lengthy and challenging.
The judge explained that while Dida’s claims had passed the initial stages, he would need to present substantial evidence during the trial to prove the alleged violations.
Inside Story: Former Kenyan Presidential Candidate Mohamed Abduba Dida Serving 7-Year U.S Prison Sentence for Stalking
