Mohammed Abduba Dida, a former Kenyan presidential candidate known for his fiery rhetoric and unorthodox campaign style, has been released from a U.S. prison after serving nearly two and a half years of a seven-year sentence. Dida was released on parole from the Big Muddy Correctional Centre in Illinois on April 3, 2025.
According to Illinois Department of Corrections records, the 50-year-old will serve the remainder of his sentence outside prison until April 3, 2029. He was convicted on two counts — stalking and transmitting threats, which earned him a two-year sentence, and aggravated stalking and violation of a restraining order, which added five years to his term.
Dida, a former teacher who rose to national prominence in Kenya during the 2013 presidential elections, has kept a low profile since his conviction in 2022. His wife, Amina Liban, revealed that he is currently residing in Minnesota and has plans to revive his charity organization, Dida Foundation International, which he had registered just before his arrest.
“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,” Amina told the Daily Nation.
Dida Foundation International is listed by Charity Navigator, a U.S.-based nonprofit that evaluates the transparency and effectiveness of charitable organizations. However, the organization has yet to receive a rating due to limited operational data. Charity Navigator noted that it cannot estimate the programmatic impact of the foundation, citing its lack of direct services or insufficient financial data.
In 2024, while still incarcerated, Dida filed a legal complaint alleging his constitutional rights were being violated. He claimed he was being denied access to educational and rehabilitation programs in prison, which he said hindered his personal growth and reintegration efforts.
Now free on parole, Dida appears poised to re-enter public life this time through philanthropic efforts. Whether his charity work will redeem his public image remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Abduba Dida is seeking a new chapter in the United States.
