It was a sigh of relief for 20 petty offenders at the Mombasa Remand Prison when they walked out of the cells to freedom after the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network (MWEN) offset their court fines.
The prisoners, who were arrested for various petty offences for which they were sentenced but could not raise cash for fines, were over the moon when the in-charge at the remand prison informed them that a well-wisher had paid for their offences.
Women Empowerment network, which is well known for rescuing people suffering from mental health, has now embarked on a program to assist youth jailed for committing petty offences. The released offenders will be given money to pay for licenses since many operate bodabodas without license.
The move will go a long way to decongest prisons. The network intends to cooperate with the government for other prisoners to be assisted.
“Today we have started to release our children who were put behind bars for petty offences. They have families and are grappling with economic challenges. We have decided to pay for their fines and solve their pressing problems because most of them lack job licenses due to low income,” said Amina Abdalla Chairperson of MWEN at the Mombasa Remand Prison.
She noted that it is difficult for anyone getting an income of Sh200 in a day to be expected to apply for the licenses and at the same time feed his family adding this is contributing to mental health issues.
Most of the patients admitted at the MWEN facility in Miritini, Amina said suffer from depression because of life’s challenges as a result of the scarcity of jobs.
“This significantly contributes to stress because a breadwinner who is jailed and has a family leaves the family in angst. The children don’t know where to go because the father is jailed resulting in school dropouts and delinquency.
“We have observed that effects of fathers who are jailed to be detrimental. We cannot continue treating mental disorders whilst we have people who are getting the disorder while in remand and their families are also affected,” explains Abdalla.
She further revealed that they have been counselling many families whose breadwinners are incarcerated for petty offences and the families are traumatized because they cannot afford to pay the fines.
“We don’t release those jailed for criminal offences or a person who was arrested while engaging in his pleasures. If they are alcohol and drug addicts we will take them to our rehabilitation center for treatment. It’s high time we rescued them and rehabilitated them not to repeat the offences,” said Abdalla.
Cyrus Omaseti, one of the released offenders was arrested in Likoni while he had parked his motorcycle for lacking of helmet, insurance and driving license.
“My fine was Sh15, 000 which I couldn’t afford; my wife gave birth a few days ago. Mama has assisted us, I don’t know how I can repay her. May the Almighty God continue to bless her,” said the elated Omaseti.
Another offender, Majivuno Mwasambu, a conductor was arrested in the Marikiti area due to lack of a PSV badge, he was taken to Central Police Station and was later arraigned in court and fined Sh10, 000 or in default he was to do 21 days in prison.
“My son doesn’t know the whereabouts of his dad. I didn’t inform my wife not to stress her more. I will appear without notice in my house; they will be shocked to find out about where I am coming from. They are some things if you tell the family, it will depress them. I thank Mama Amina who has promised to pay for our licenses. I am not a thief but hustling to feed my family,” said Mwasambu.
By Sadik Hassan
