Peris Ondara bagged the overall title during the Kisii GK Prison International Women’s Day Chess Championship held at Kisii Women’s Prison.
She won five and a half games to emerge the winner, edging Clemencia Nyamoita to the second position, who won five games.
Janet Obiri placed third after winning four games and losing two. Ondara received a trophy and a medal while Nyamoita and Obiri got medals.
An emotional Ondara dedicated the win to her daughter and mother. “This win is for my daughter who joined university last year and my mother. I will join you soon,” she said while shedding tears.
A total of 21 women inmates at the correctional facility took part in the tournament which was organised by Chess Kenya, Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya’s office, and Minto Foundation among others.
CK donated 10 chess boards while the Woman Representative’s office donated five to the facility. The facility’s officer in charge, Margaret Waithera, welcomed the donation.
CK Vice President Andrew Owili, Secretary for Gender Rodha Olisa, and Chess For Schools Committee chairperson Saphina Kenyando attended the tournament.
“We introduced the game in this facility in 2022 as part of the 'Chess for Freedom Program' as a tool for education and social inclusion. I’m impressed that most inmates have already embraced it. This program is aimed at improving the quality of life for prisoners and empowering them,” she said.
Kisii was the first prison in Kenya where Chess Kenya launched the program and the third in Africa.
