First Lady Rachel Ruto dancing with women inmates at Murang'a prisons on March 5, 2025.
There was joy at Murang’a Prisons after the First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto donated foodstuffs enough to feed inmates for two days to celebrate
International Women’s Day.
The First Lady, who spent the day at the prison, also donated
other essential commodities, including 1,000 packets of sanitary towels, 600
pieces of tissue paper, and underwear for 275 women.
She also provided innerwear for 40 men, 200 packets washing
powder, 200 pieces of bar soap, 200 pieces of tooth paste, 200 toothbrushes,
200 pieces of lotion, 150 pieces of lesos, three water tanks, and bedding.
Ruto said the exercise was meant to make women inmates feel
like part of society as they undergo rehabilitation. The International
Women’s Day will be celebrated globally on March 8.
She called upon them to take advantage of training
opportunities provided in prisons and acquire skills that will help them to
become economically independent after their sentences.
She said prisons offer an array of courses with the aim of
empowering inmates and enabling them to become productive members of society
once their jail terms are over.
She cited the Karakana programme that is championed by her
office and which trains inmates on crafts.
The programme is being implemented in five women prisons and
has transformed the lives of women inmates, enabling them to start small
businesses after they leave prisons.
“These women are able to start income-generating projects to support their families. They have proven that transformation is possible.”
First Lady Rachel Ruto with Murang'a prison officers and Murang'a leaders.
She pledged to engage the principal secretary for
correctional services to have the programme started at Murang’a women's prison.
“Imparting skills to inmates gives them a means to become self-reliant. In other prisons, inmates get the chance to train on tailoring, baking, ICT, carpentry, among other courses.”
She urged inmates to put their focus on their lives after
imprisonment and integrate with the communities. said prisons are for
correction and rehabilitation.
“Despite the circumstances that brought you in prison, you
are not condemned. You remain essential, loved and valued,” she remarked.
Nominated senator Veronicah Maina on her urged the
government to consider releasing inmates serving sentences for petty crimes.
She said assigning community work as punishment would
decongest prisons while reprieving some inmates, such as mothers living with
children in prison.
She condemned cases of femicide reported in Murang’a County,
saying young women its disheartening that bodies are being
recovered in dams.
“The cases cause parents to live in fear for themselves and
their children. My appeal is to the relevant agencies to ensure those
responsible are brought to book.”.
Her sentiments were echoed by woman representative Betty
Maina, who called for a safer environment for women to thrive.
On his part, Governor Irungu Kang’ata encouraged inmates to
remain hopeful and not allow their prison terms to limit their lives.
“It’s the responsibility of those in leadership positions to reduce unemployment, especially among young people, which prompts some youths to engage in crime”.
