40 inmates graduate at Langata Women Prison with Diplomas in Theology

Nairobi, Kenya: They were granted the powers to do all that relates to theology. Their only plea to the society is acceptance after they leave prison.

The forty inmates at the Langata Women's Prison found their way to the prison after committing various crimes. They were not only waiting for their jail terms to come to an end but they were well equipped with skills which can help them become self reliant and raise their self-esteem.

The recent graduation which saw the inmates get diplomas in theology was not an ordinary graduation. It was matchless as it was the first of its kind to be held in the women's prison.

Rahab Njoki Muchiri, aged 27 has spent two years in the prison for murder charges.

In an interview with The Standard, Rahab says she was a drug addict and she stabbed her boyfriend after he questioned her over her wayward behaviour.

"I was drunk and when I arrived at the house in the wee hours of the morning, my boyfriend confronted me and I stabbed him several times leading to his death," she says.

She is serving twenty five years in jail though she blames anger and drug addiction which resulted to her landing in prison.

The last born in a family of four now knows the negative effects of drugs abuse. She was among the graduates and she was among the inmates who won awards for their exemplary performance.

She urged her fellow inmates to take the course saying it changed her life and has also eliminated stigma.

"I urge my fellow inmates to participate in the course because it is of great importance. If you are a changed person you change the society and overcome a lot of challenges," she explains.

Besides this, she has also learned crocheting and calls upon people to control their anger lest it lands them in trouble.

Mary Wanjiku, aged 26, who also graduated from her diploma in theology, is serving six years in jail. She was sentenced for murder after a fight with her house help.

"I was three months pregnant when my house help provoked me. I stabbed her with a kitchen knife and she died on her way to hospital," she says in remorse.

She notes that majority of the cases in the prison are family related issues and appeals to families to resolve their issues instead of turning their homes as battle fields.

"Most of the cases here are between a husband and wife. I encourage families to live in peace and resolve their differences instead of initiating fights," she says.

 

The mother of one who is the leader of praise and worship team in the prison has also learned dress making and bakery.

Zipphorah Ndungu, a prison officer who works as a catechist in Langata Women Prison says her role is to motivate the inmates so that they do not suffer psychological distress while in prison.

"We also act motherly and fatherly roles so that if they have a problem, they can tell us. We also do remote parenting where their children and families visit them and spent time with their loved ones for a whole day," she asserts.

Though she has other roles to attend to, Zipphorah has maintained a balance between her work and domestic roles.

"I am a mother and a wife and I also have duties to do in prison but I always strike a balance on both," she adds.

The eight months course in theology was spearheaded by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and Nairobi County is aimed at influencing behaviour change to the in prisons.

Pastor Charles Maina of PCEA Langata parish said the course will have a holistic impact to the life of the inmates so that they can integrate with the community when they leave the prison.

"The course aims to encourage the inmates to appreciate the love of God and reduce stigma and condemnation," says Maina.

Among the subjects learned were biblical theology, HIV/AIDS, ecumenism, drug abuse, Old and New Testament among others.

Throughout the eight months, he says, the inmates could meet for discussions and internalize about the concepts they learned before siting for an internal examination.

Deputy Senior Commissioner of prisons Wanini Kireri said spiritual qualifications come first in the inmates' lives adding that the society should be ready to accept them back when their time to leave the prison approaches.

"Some of our prison officers graduated with the inmates. This is an indication that we do not discriminate them," she adds.

Nairobi Women Representative Rachel Shebesh applauded the the PCEA for their partnership with prisons to transform lives.

"We commend you for removing the stigma that surrounds women in prison. They should not be demonized but should be supported so that they can move to the next level," she concluded.