NAIROBI, KENYA — Mwalimu Mohammed Abduba Dida, a two-time contender for the Kenyan presidency, has been released from custody in the United States after serving three years of a his initial seven-year jail sentence.
Dida, who was originally projected to be released on April 3, 2029, was granted parole, a conditional release that allows an inmate to serve the remainder of their sentence outside of prison under supervision.
According to records from the Big Muddy Correctional Facility in Illinois, the 50-year-old was released on March 3rd and will now be required to provide philanthropy services in the US for the duration of his original sentence.
He had been incarcerated at the correctional facility since November 18, 2022, following his conviction for stalking and intimidating his American wife in the Midwestern United States.
Court documents revealed that Dida violated a restraining order by entering a designated off-limits area under US law. The incident occurred when he visited a mosque situated near the residence of the individual under protection.
Despite his stated intention to attend prayers, his presence within the restricted zone led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment.
“He went to a mosque nearby to pray, not knowing it was within an area he was barred from entering, as Mama Lila also frequently visited the same mosque,” a family member explained.
Dida’s relatives maintain that the violation was unintentional and are appealing to the Kenyan government for support and legal assistance.
Following an initial period of detention at the Southwestern Correctional Center, Dida was later transferred to the Big Muddy Correctional Centre in Illinois.
Amina Liban, one of Dida’s three wives, told Vivid Voice News that he is now planning to resuscitate his charity organization founded in 2017, based in Minnesota.
“He is living in his house in Minnesota. He had started the Dida Foundation International and had completed its registration just before he was arrested. He is currently looking for an office to rent in Minnesota,” she told the publication.
Charity Navigator, a charity assessment organization that evaluates charitable organizations based in the U.S., recognizes Dida’s foundation but cannot provide an evaluation due to its limited operational data.
“We have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact [or] its programs are not direct services, or it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors,” reads part of Charity Navigator’s page.
In 2024, Dida went to court alleging that his constitutional rights were being violated, arguing that he has been prevented from accessing educational and other programs during his incarceration.
