Nanyuki magistrate calls for more visits to inmates to boost rehabilitation

Nanyuki resident magistrate Immaculate Deche and other court officials donating assorted items to Nanyuki prison on November 28, 2025./ALICE WAITHERA

Members of the public have been urged to support their imprisoned kin during the festive season to make them feel loved.

While many Kenyans visit their relatives who are serving jail terms in prisons, many are not visited, causing them to feel isolated.

Nanyuki resident magistrate Immaculate Deche has underscored the need for Kenyans to commune with prisoners, saying it plays a huge part in their rehabilitation.

“Supporting them shows you’re ready to receive them once they complete their jail terms,” she said.

She spoke while visiting Nanyuki prison in Laikipia county where she gave donations.

Deche said many prisoners grapple with societal stigma and neglect and visiting them reminds them that they are still part of the family.

She said the primary purpose of imprisonment is retribution and rehabilitation but noted that the government has established many programmes aimed at helping prisoners to reform.

 “Some inmates feel left out and forgotten. It is important that we support them and make them feel part of the community again, regardless of their past mistakes,” the magistrate said.

“Prison serves the dual role of retribution for wrongdoing and facilitating change in the offender but everyone deserves a second chance.”

The magistrate donated soaps, tissue papers, sanitary towels and food stuff as an early Christmas treat.

Court workers and Deche’s friends made the donations.

“I initiated this idea and people donated to help buy these gifts because I understand the need to let them know that we accept them and they don’t have to worry about their re-integration”.

She said newborns delivered in the prisons and children living with their mothers require more support and challenged more Kenyans of good will to support them.

The law allows children born in prison to remain with their mothers until they attain four years after which arrangements are made for their care outside prison.

According to the 2023 Kenya Prison Nursery Report, at least 200 children live with their mothers in 43 female correctional facilities in the country with only a few of them having separate day-care centres for the children.

Nanyuki Prison’s Assistant Superintendent Esther Maina praised the magistrate for the initiative, saying it gives hope to the inmates.

She said rehabilitation programmes that include beauty, farming and tailoring ensure prisoners are ready to rejoin the society and become financially independent, reducing their chances of re-offending.

“Many of these inmates find themselves in prison because of lack of jobs but they are being equipped with modern and marketable skills to enhance their employability upon release,” Maina said.

The prison official expressed hope that with continued community support and reduced stigma, prisoners can be successfully reintegrated with the community upon completing their sentences.