A New Start for Kamiti Ex-Convict After Serving 22 Years In PRISON
On 15th September 2019, together with Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) participants from Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Gachie visited Kamiti Maximum Prison. The Kamiti inmates shared with us the personal stories of why and how long they had been jailed and it was very emotional. There were two Nigerians in the prison who had been jailed for life. Deeply touched by their stories, the RFE group promised to find their relatives in Nigeria and tell them where they are.
Peter Mwangi is an ex-convict who was released from jail in March 2019, after serving 22 years (life sentence), for robbery with violence.
Even though Peter was released, his family would not allow him to return to his home in Muranga. Peter is currently staying at a halfway home run by Rotarian Humphrey from RC Gachie.
Read Rotarian Humphrey’s moving life story here.
Rotarian Comfort, one of the RFE participants from Nigeria, decided that she wanted to help him start a new life. Peter’s dream was to start a shop. On 22nd September 2019, Comfort spoke to Peter to understand his story and his dreams. She was so moved by his story that she immediately confirmed with RC Gachie President – Tim Njau – that she will help him. She contributed 200USD that was used to start the shop and buy the initial stock.
On 6th October 2019, the Comfort Shop was officially opened by Tim, RC Gachie’s President. Rotarian Gary Ananda, Projects Director at RC Gachie, gave Peter words of encouragement at the opening ceremony. Gary was also the first customer of the shop. He bought two packets of maize floor that he donated to the half way home for their dinner.
Article by Grace Githere-Ljung, Charter President, RC Gachie
