Before his descent into crime, John Kiriamiti was a promising young man growing up in Kenya during the post-colonial era. Born in 1950 in Murang’a, he came from a respectable family and attended school like any other ordinary boy. However, the lure of quick money and the thrill of rebellion led him away from a conventional path. His teenage years were soon marked by petty crime, which escalated into more serious offenses. Kiriamiti became one of the most notorious bank robbers in Kenya in the 1970s, a reputation that earned him widespread infamy. It was during his time in prison, however, that a transformation began to take shape. While serving his sentence, he began to reflect deeply on his life and the consequences of his actions.
Kiriamiti’s reformation was not only personal but also literary. While still behind bars, he wrote his first book, “My Life in Crime” (published in 1980), a fictionalized account based on his criminal life. The novel became an instant bestseller in Kenya, resonating with readers for its raw honesty, gripping storytelling, and insight into the criminal underworld. It was followed by sequels like “My Life with a Criminal” and “Son of Fate”, which further explored his transformation and the challenges of redemption. After his release, Kiriamiti committed himself to a reformed life. He became a social reformist, working with at-risk youth to deter them from crime, and ran community programs in Murang’a. His literary success and dedication to change turned him from a feared criminal into a respected figure in Kenyan society, using his past as a lesson and his words as a powerful tool for change.
