In a groundbreaking achievement, 29 inmates and wardens at Kamiti Maximum Prison have earned law degrees from the University of London through a program by Justice Defenders.
Among the graduates was Hamisi Mzari, a former convict who is now an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. His colleague, William Okumu, also earned the qualification to practice law.
Another notable graduate was Ruth Kamande, the former beauty queen who gained national attention in 2015 after she was convicted of fatally stabbing her boyfriend 25 times in Buruburu.
In 2018, Kamande was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, a sentence that has since been converted to life imprisonment.
Kamande was crowned Miss Lang’ata Women Prison in 2016.
Reflecting on her journey after achieving the milestone, Kamande said, “our stories have been rewritten uniquely, and we can now celebrate a new chapter in life.”
“We are here to celebrate this new chapter with a new story in which all of you have participated in rewriting it,” she added during her speech at the graduation ceremony. “We are not only here to celebrate graduands from the University of London but graduands who have successfully studied law behind bars. Graduands who are well transformed, rehabilitated, and reformed.”
WAPATA SHAHADA GEREZANI KAMITI
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Washikadau wasifia hatua hiyo.
Wafungwa wamepokea elimu na kufuzu.
Wamepata shahada kutoka chuo kikuu cha London.#TV47Matukio@ruga_eval pic.twitter.com/egm6DKskIg
Alexander McLean, the founder of Justice Defenders, says the milestone underscores the transformative power of education and its ability to rehabilitate and empower individuals within the correctional system.
McLean explained that Justice Defenders is a registered UK charity and US nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal education, training, and practice within vulnerable communities.
These communities often face a disproportionate risk of conflict with the criminal justice system due to socio-economic challenges or ethnicity.
The Principal Secretary of the State Department of Correctional Services Salome Beacco, who attended the ceremony, praised Justice Defenders for their efforts.
She highlighted Kenya’s role as a pioneer in this initiative and pledged to work towards expanding the program to other Commonwealth countries in Africa.
Justice Kanyi Kimondo, Presiding Judge of the Commercial and Admiralty Division in Nairobi, also commended Justice Defenders.
He noted that many of the well-drafted legal applications received in court originate from prisoners who have benefited from this initiative.
