During a recent appearance on the Mic Check Podcast, content creator Terence Creative recounted his experience during a two-week detention in Ukambani, including time spent at Kithimani Police Station.
From Corporal Punishment to Remand
According to Terence, the detention followed an incident at a children’s home involving a relationship with a girlfriend.
He stated that both were taken to local administrators, where they were subjected to corporal punishment, which authorities described as a corrective measure.
"Tulipelekangwa kwa administration tukapigwa viboko huko zile viboko unapigwa unajua hizo viboko ulikuwa unapigwa ati siwe napiga ni makosa napigwa hii viboko itakusaidia maishani." He stated.
Terence noted the physical pain involved but focused his account on what he observed during his time in custody. While in remand, Terence encountered individuals held for a range of minor offenses.
He recalled meeting twins who had been arrested over the theft of bananas, as well as a young man identified as a pastor’s son who was accused of breaking into another clergyman’s house to steal a mattress.
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These cases, he said, reflected the diversity of backgrounds and circumstances among those held in remand facilities.
A Diverse Remand Population
Terence described remand as a space where people from different social, religious, and economic backgrounds are held together.
He emphasized that the facility brought together individuals who might not otherwise interact, creating an environment shaped by shared constraints.
He noted that conversations among detainees frequently centered on survival strategies, including how to secure food, cigarettes, or basic comforts while awaiting further legal processes.
The Tobacco Trade Behind Bars
A significant part of Terence’s account focused on the internal trade in tobacco. He identified cigarettes as one of the most valuable commodities within detention facilities, particularly in larger institutions such as Kamiti.
He highlighted the popularity of “roasters,” cigarettes without filters, which he said can be lit and smoked from either end. This feature, he explained, makes them especially practical in custody.
Terence described the tobacco trade as a structured and well-understood system among detainees, operating as an informal economy that allows individuals to exchange goods and maintain a sense of agency despite confinement.
Barter, Food, and Exchange
Food, according to Terence, forms another key part of the remand economy. He explained that when visitors bring meals, detainees who receive food from multiple sources may have surplus.
This excess can then be exchanged through barter for other items, most commonly cigarettes. He noted that some detainees engage in more complex exchanges, trading food for services or favors within the facility.
Observing Supply and Logistics
Terence also applied a business-oriented lens to the logistics of detention life. He spoke about the supply of githeri, a common meal, questioning where it originates and who is responsible for its preparation.
He suggested that even in detention, people observe supply chains and consider sources of goods. His reflections pointed to the persistence of trade, analysis, and negotiation within remand settings, where informal markets continue to operate under restrictive conditions.
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