This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
November 1, 2019, marked a significant day for 15 inmates, one ex-inmate, and two prison staff members from Kamiti Maximum Prison, who graduated with a Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) from the University of London (UoL) after five years of studying.
Among the graduates was Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu, who is currently serving time for the murder of businesswoman Monicah Kimani. Photos of Jowie in prison have emerged, giving a glimpse into life behind bars.
The graduation ceremony was a momentous occasion, with African Prisons Project (APP) playing a crucial role in providing high-quality legal services, training, and education to those living and working in prison.
Francis Munyao, one of the graduating students, expressed his pride and sense of accomplishment upon receiving his degree. 'The UoL degree is very prestigious, it makes you feel different. The regional commander of Nyeri was really impressed on learning that I had attained a law degree while in prison,' he said.
As part of their training, the inmates and officers were trained as auxiliary paralegals to offer free quality legal services across eight prisons in Kenya. This initiative aims to establish permanent prison-based legal aid clinics.
Photographer Michael Khateli, who visited Kamiti for the graduation ceremony, shared an inspiring story about Wilson Kinyua, who was found guilty of robbery in 1998 and sentenced at 19 years old. Despite spending 21 years in prison, Wilson was released seven months ago and has already secured a job as a lawyer at Kakai Mugalo & Co. Advocates.
