NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Lands Minister Amos Kimunya has announced his retirement from active politics following his acquittal in a long-running corruption case that had hung over his public career for more than a decade.
Speaking after the court ruling, Kimunya described the verdict as the end of a painful 12-year legal and personal ordeal, saying the case had significantly affected both his professional life and future political ambitions.
“It marks a culmination of 12 years of suffering for something we did not do. We are happy that the long journey has come to an end,” he said.
The acquittal closes one of Kenya’s most closely watched anti-corruption cases involving a senior former Cabinet minister. Kimunya, who once held influential portfolios including Finance and Lands, had consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.
Following the ruling, the former Kipipiri MP said he no longer intends to seek elective office, signalling a complete departure from frontline politics after decades in public service.
“I am free to pursue other pursuits in life, of course not politics anymore,” Kimunya said in light-hearted remarks.
His comments come at a time when Kenya continues to grapple with concerns over the slow pace of corruption-related prosecutions and the political impact lengthy court battles have on public officials.
Kimunya said the prolonged legal process had fundamentally reshaped his priorities, particularly his interest in academia and mentorship.
According to the former minister, years spent attending court proceedings made it difficult for him to fully engage in teaching despite his academic qualifications and professional experience.
He revealed that he now plans to dedicate more time to mentoring young professionals and students through academic work and leadership training.
“I would like now to mentor the young generation. You might find me in some lecture rooms using my doctorate, knowledge,” he said.
“I couldn’t do that while appearing in court because students would wonder whether they are being taught by a guilty person or an accused. Now I am free to venture.”
Kimunya added that he hopes to use his experience in government, economics and public administration to guide future leaders outside partisan politics.
The former minister also framed the acquittal as a broader affirmation of the justice system, expressing hope that other Kenyans facing lengthy legal disputes would eventually receive fair outcomes.
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“We hope it will happen to all other Kenyans seeking justice, where truth will prevail for those suffering,” he said.
Kimunya served in several senior government positions during the administrations of former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, playing a key role in Kenya’s economic and land policy discussions over the years.
His exit from politics marks the end of a long public career that saw him rise from technocrat to one of the country’s most prominent Cabinet ministers before becoming entangled in legal battles that overshadowed his later years in office.
The ruling is expected to reignite debate around Kenya’s anti-corruption framework, the duration of high-profile trials and the long-term reputational impact of graft allegations on public figures, even in cases that end in acquittal.
