Inmates earn themselves academic freedom

Prisoner Valentine Mwawasi,59, recetes a poem after he graduated with a diploma Theology at Kamiti Maximum Prison. 46 prisoners graduated. ON 28/11/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

They momentarily forgot about their prison ordeals as they enjoyed their new-found status, dressed in graduation gowns.

It was celebration galore at the Kamiti Maximum Prison when the names of 46 inmates were called out to received diplomas in theology from the International School of Ministry.

And they had one special request for the Government: Recognise the diplomas acquired by people while behind bars. They said doing so would inspire them to climb the academic ladder by pursuing degrees.

Most of the inmate-graduates were convicts serving life terms and even death sentences, alongside four prison wardens.

Fifty-nine-year-old Nicodemus Mwania, who was remanded in Machakos Prisons for seven years before he was handed a death sentence at the Kamiti Maximum Prison last June, was among the graduands.

Despite serving a death sentence, Mwania needs no crutch to stand tall in academic excellence.

The father of six arrived at Kamiti Prison and immediately enrolled for theological studies and hopes that a day will come when he will leave the jagged walls of the prison behind to reunite with his family.

“My family might be suffering psychologically now since I am away from home. The prison life has changed me and I have come to understand many things which I would take for granted before. There is hope for me to leave this place and I know that I will rejoin my family one day,” Mwania said.

Mwania holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in Agronomy from the same institution.

But all hell broke loose when he was imprisoned shortly after enrolling for his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Nairobi. He, however, declined to disclose the nature of the capital offence he was convicted for.

Valentine Mwawasi, a death row convict, said that although he has undergone numerous challenges behind bars, he has embraced the conviction positively.

“The prison is not a comfort zone. The environment is not conducive for learning but the theology course has motivated us to embrace Christ’s teachings in our lives in order to live a successful and meaningful life in prison. I think this warmed our hearts quite well,” he recounted.

The 43-year-old Mwawasi, who has had a four-year stay in the prison, earned a diploma in Theology and Biblical Studies. He says he is keen to grab opportunities that come his way while still in prison.

He is optimistic that he will one day come out of prison so that he can interpret God’s word for the populace.

Stephen Murimi, a prison warden, who graduated with the inmates, said he joined the theology class after one of the inmates convinced him to do so.

“I was approached by one prisoner who asked me to join the course saying it was helpful. After much thoughts, I decided to take the course and I have learned humility and how to cope with various challenges in life,” he says.

John Kimani, the chaplain of the institution, said the prison was marking its eighth graduation.

Kimani said the inmates were taken through programmes in leadership, the Bible, liberation, counselling, discipleship and self-esteem, among others.

“It is an all-round course which will enable them to cope in the society when they leave the prison,” he says.

Patrick Isaboke, the deputy officer in charge of Kamiti Maximum Prison, said officers at the correctional department were playing their role to ensure inmates under their watch lead morally upright lives.

“It’s our duty to ensure that the inmates acquire knowledge and, more importantly, get to understand their natural rights,” said Isaboke.