Thirty-two inmates with petty offenses at the Eldoret GK Released
Thirty two inmates with petty offenses at the Eldoret GK main Men prison during Valentine’s Day celebrations had something to smile about after they were released from prison.
This is after a group of well-wishers secured their freedom by clearing their fines, they were led Rupa Business Centre and other partners to commemorate 2022 year Valentine’s day.
Others included students from Moi University Annex, Grand Royal Medical care, and a group of dentists who presented flowers to the inmates.
Speaking to the press the officer in charge Eunice Odhiambo said the gesture was part of rehabilitation and reintegrating the inmates back into society.
“We are happy with the gestures that were shown by well-wishers as the world celebrated Valentine’s Day. We looked at those who have reformed to a large extent and whose remaining time was short,” said Adhiambo.
She assured the community that the inmates who were released from prison are safe and will be useful to them since they have learned many skills while serving their sentences.
The women GK prison in charge called on the families of the prisoners that once they are released, they should show them some love since anyone can commit a mistake and be jailed no matter his or her status in the community.
“We want to share the love, of God and Christ, by showing them we have nothing against them since they are our brothers our sons, we would like to hold their hands and show them all is not lost,” she added.
Eldoret High Court judge Reuben Nyakundi rooted for mediation to address petty offenses at the grassroots level.
“Victim offender mediation and restorative justice at the community level should be encouraged as much as possible for non-serious offenses as this would go a long way towards conflict settlement and promoting relationships between the offender and the offended at the family and community level,” he said.
Discriminating with petty offenders would make them feel bad after they have been enjoined to the community.
“Quite a number of people we have in prison are first-time offenders whose offenses could have been handled at the community level through customary mechanisms because our customs have a way of dealing with crime at the local level, this way we would prevent the offenders from ever repeating such an offense because they would have been shamed at the community,” Justice Nyakundi said.
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