The death penalty does not deter crime and moreover life is sacred. Therefore, no one should take another’s life. Ideally, a prison is a reformation institution and not a death chamber and capital punishment is not the solution to crime.

Besides, flaws cannot be ruled out in the investigation of crimes that carry the death penalty because the police force especially in poor countries is not only understaffed, but also has low morale.

The same goes for the Judiciary. In case a person is sent to the gallows, and it is later proved that he or she was innocent, that life cannot be recreated. African Parliaments should repeal the death penalty law and replace it with life punishment.

Kimihurura