By Pili Chimerah and Martha Ndila
First Her Excellency the First Lady Rachel Ruto, Correctional Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons Florence Omundi cut a cake during International Women’s Day. Photo: Collins Williams.
Her Excellency the First Lady Rachel Ruto joined women at the Langat Women Maximum Prison to celebrate International Women’s Day where she was received by the Correctional Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
The day also marked the relaunch of Carakana program which was meant to empower marginalized women in the society.
The program had been introduced in Langata Women’s Prison on 19th December 2016 and since the it has helped in instilling the offenders with skills in cross-stitching.
The program was then cascaded to other four prisons including Nakuru, Shimo la Tewa, Kakamega and Kitale.
The program is an Income generating activity as the incarcerated women earn through the art work they create after which the money is saved to help sustain their livelihoods.
The First lady in her speech during the event said the aims are to expand the program and introduce it to all women prisons and also include other forms of art work and not just stitching only.
“We want to expand Carakana offering to include other forms of creative art like crochet, bead making, basketry, needle work, knitting and many more,” She said
She encouraged the ladies to take advantage and learn the skill in the creative work which helps to “give the women dignity, a livelihood, respect from family and a feeling of achievement.”
The PS appreciated the First lady for gracing the occasion and for initiating an amazing project meant to empower women with skills meant to benefit themselves.
“We will do mini-launches with your help your Excellency in those other entities so that they can also feel that we have the empathy and we love them,” she said.
While addressing journalists after the event, The PS insisted on the launch of a program known as One Prisoner, One bed, One mattress meant to ease the suffering of sharing beddings and improve on sustainable way of living.
“We will launch an ambitious program that will see every prisoner with a bed and mattress which is a PPP program,” she said.
This she said is an act to treat the people who are incarcerated in a humane way which will also help them in reforming.
The PS also handed over infant clothes to mothers at the prison. Children from 0-4 years are allowed to accompany their mothers to prison.
PS handing over infant clothes to mothers at the Langata Womens Prison. Photo: Collins Williams.