Lord Delamere heir released

• Prison authorities release Delamere grandson citing good behaviour

Mr Tom Cholmondeley was on Friday freed from jail after serving five and a half months of his eight months sentence.

Prison authorities said they released him after serving two thirds of his sentence under normal remission for good behaviour.

Friday’s release of the Lord Delamere heir was a closely guarded secret among the authorities, a contrast to the live coverage of his conviction for killing mason Robert Njoya.

He was driven out of Kamiti Maximum Security Prison shortly after dawn to an undisclosed location.

His lawyer, Mr Fred Ojiambo, who was in court at the time of the release, said Mr Cholmondeley was received by his family at his Naivasha home.

Mr Cholmondeley was on May 14 sentenced to eight months in prison, after a three-year trial during which he spent time at the prison.

Mr Njoya’s widow, Sarah Waithera, expressed shock on receiving news that the man who caused the death of her husband had been released.

Speaking at the Nakuru Wholesale Market where she sells groceries, Ms Njoya said she thought Mr Cholmondeley would serve his full sentence.

Commissioner of Prisons Isaiah Osugo told the Saturday Nation that Mr Cholmondeley “has served his term, his conviction is scheduled to end today (Friday)”.

His release threw journalists into confusion in their attempts to look for the Naivasha rancher. Security guards manning the Lord Delamere property in Naivasha were on high alert.

Visitors were restricted from accessing the ranch by being subjected to thorough scrutiny. The guards consulted security manager Jeff Mitto to enquire whether the visitors should be allowed into the farm.

Turn of events

The Saturday Nation crew was also informed by other sources that Mr Cholmondeley had been taken to his girlfriend’s Karen residence.

And in Naivasha, some of his neighbours were reluctant to welcome him.

“We were not prepared to hear that he would be back home soon. The news is surprising,” said a neighbour.