Dances, hugs as prisoners meet family at Athi River

A prison warden dances during the Athi River GK Prison’s Open Day at the institution on Saturday. [PHOTO: PETERSON GITHAIGA/STANDARD]

Nairobi; Kenya: It was pomp and colour at the Athi-River GK Prison in Kitengela as inmates got a rare chance to freely interact with their families during the facility's open day on Saturday.

Hundreds of relatives thronged the highly guarded facility to share moments with inmates.

Tears of joy rolled from both inmates and family members as they hugged and cerebrated together.

The usually tensed and quiet rehabilitation facility was brought to life in an event that was characterised with loud celebratory music, dance and feasting. Young ones were not left behind and turned up in large numbers to see their parents.

self esteem

Prison Kenya rehabilitation director Mary Khaemba said the move was geared towards uplifting the inmates' self esteem.

She said the reunion is a reconciliation moment between families and inmates, which help ensure family continuity and love.

"This is a big day for inmates and their relatives. Some of them have lived here for long without seeing their relatives,'' said Ms Khaemba.

Visitors and inmates expressed gratitude for the chance with relatives, saying they are optimistic that the correctional facility is rehabilitating offenders positively and making them better people who should be accepted back in the society.

''I am very thankful to the Government and the entire prison department for allowing me to visit my father, who has been in jail for 10 years,'' said John Kingora.

Athi River Prison Officer in-charge Bison Madegwa said prisons are on the move to ensure inmates acquire skills that would boost their livelihoods once they get back to society.

He said the prison's open day is also a platform of changing society perception towards inmates and creating acceptance by family members.

The prison is in Kitengela, Kajiado County and currently has 800 male inmates.

Meanwhile, the County Government of Nairobi wants to turn the former Kangemi cemetery into a recreational park.

Speaking during a cleaning exercise at the site, Nairobi County Executive Member for environment Evans Ondieki said the area residents will be given garbage bags to transport the waste to Dandora dumping site.
"We are soon going to give residents here garbage bags to place waste to be collected and taken to Dandora dumping site as we want to turn this place into a recreational facility," said Mr Ondieki.

CLEAN CITY

He also urged Nairobi residents to collaborate with his office in ensuring that the city is clean and a good place to live in.
He said the waste generated from the city, if well managed, could be used to generate more revenue and spur the economy through manufacture of fertiliser and electricity.
The clean-up exercise was organised by Sifa Cleaning and Bins Services, which has been given the tender to clean and beautify the former cemetery.
Ondieki emphasised that the county government is determined to ensure that the city regains its status as the 'green city in the sun' through cleanliness.
Agnes Gichuhi, a resident, said the cemetery was moved from the area about 20 years ago and thanked the county government for the initiative to clean it up.
Other participants in the clean-up included Japan International Corporation Agency and local community based organisations.