Inmates who gave birth in prison released after President’s directive

It was all smiles for 224 petty offenders at the Nakuru GK Prison after they were released on Friday, October 21 following a President Uhuru Kenyatta directive.

The inmates, singing songs of praise, thanked the Head of State for pardoning them during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Among those released were 169 men and 55 women who were close to completing their jail terms or were serving less than six months sentences.

During the Mashujaa Day celebrations, the President invoked Article 133 of the Constitution of Kenya on the Power of Mercy and pandered 7,000 petty offenders.

Gladys Chepkorir, one of the inmates released from the Nakuru GK Prison, expressed her joy as she united with her children after serving eight months in prison.

Chepkori, who hails from Molo Sub County, shed tears of joy as she was received by her family members.

Chepkorir was sent to prison for one year in March this year after being accused of assault, a crime she maintains she did not commit. She had served eight months so far.

The mother of four gave birth to her fourth born while serving the jail term at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru.

She said prison officers had been kind during her stay at the correctional facility adding that they provided her with necessities for her baby.

“During my arrest, I was five months pregnant. During the pregnancy, I was so stressed anticipating challenges of giving birth but officers have been so motherly, no single day have I ever been harassed,” she said.

The mother said she is now transformed and has acquired tailoring skills and she is looking forward to opening a laundry and tailoring business to enable her earn a decent living.

Another mother, Celina Chepkurui, 40, accused of selling illicit brew in Salgaa, Rongai said she was happy to reunite with members of her family who always visited her at the prison.

Chepkurui, a mother of ten, also delivered her eleventh born safely at the Rift Valley Provincial Hospital while serving her jail term.

She was accused of selling illicit brew despite presidential directive to fight the liquor that continues to kill consumers and has been linked to the high crime rates in the country.

Chepkurui said she will start a small business to enable her pay school fees for her children.

She added that she is transformed and will also help other youth and alcohol addicts in the society transform into productive individuals.

Another prisoner, Robert Malakwen, 40, dressed in African outfit and bracelets bearing Kenyan flag colours, was jailed for ten years after being found guilty of manslaughter in November 2008.

He said that he was enjoying a bottle of beer when his friend walked into a pub at Salgaa Trading Center and begun victimizing him out of pretty issues.

Out of anger, Malakwen said he assaulted the friend leading to his death, a crime he said he regrets up to date.

However, he said he is a transformed and attained various skills at the prison including Welding Grade 1, 2 and 3. The skills, he said, will enable him open a welding workshop to earn income to afford a living for his four children.

The Prison boss, James Sawe, welcomed the presidential pardon saying the move has de-congested the facility.

Sawe said the inmates were well equipped with skills including carpentry, laundry, welding, tailoring and farming that will enable them become productive individuals.

He asked members of the public to accept them back and help them become productive citizens.