Freedom at last for 3 women jailed over chang’aa distilling

Shimo la Tewa Women Prison officer-in-charge Evelyn Kaliti [3^rd L] and Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi [3^rd R] at the correctional facility on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

Shimo la Tewa Women Prison officer-in-charge Evelyn Kaliti [L] and Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi [3^rd L] at the textile workshop of the correctional facility on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi [2^nd R] and Shimo la Tewa Women Prison officer-in-charge Evelyn Kaliti at the Bakery workshop of the correctional facility on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

KPA’s Zipporah Andia, Evelyn Shigoli, Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi and one of the three soon-to-be-released inmates at the Shimo la Tewa Women prison on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

It was an emotional International Women’s Day for three inmates at Shimo la Tewa Women's Prison.

Their dreams of freedom became reality after Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Women’s Congress offered to pay their fines.

The women, from Jomvu and Likoni, were jailed for distilling chang’aa. Each had been sentenced to five years or a Sh5 million fine.

Having served at least two years, their fines were reduced, allowing for this intervention.

Senator Abdillahi said the women had learnt their lessons and deserved a second chance.

 “They were not brewing chang’aa for fun. They were doing it to feed their families and educate their children,” she said.

The senator and the KPA Women’s Congress, led by Evelyn Shigoli, visited the facility to offer encouragement.

One inmate wept as her colleagues cheered when her fine was selected for payment.

Prison officer-in-charge Evelyn Kaliti said the facility runs programmes in baking, tailoring and ICT to help inmates integrate into society.

“Previously, inmates could acquire skills but lacked capital to start businesses. Now, 50 per cent of proceeds go to them, enabling them to save for the future,” she said.

Kaliti cited several success stories. One former inmate now teaches ICT in Malindi, while another runs a cake business using earnings from prison skills programmes.

Senator Abdillahi highlighted the need for comprehensive health coverage.

She said many inmates lack national ID cards, complicating enrolment in the Social Health Authority.

She pledged to work with government bodies to provide coverage and improve access to IDs.

The senator also promised to address legislative gaps and support broader prison reforms. She noted that significant reforms have not occurred since Vice President Moody Awori’s tenure.

Shigoli praised the resilience of the inmates, noting that correctional programmes provide a solid footing for a new life. “These women have brains and initiatives empower them,” she said.

Shigoli urged Kenyans to stop stereotyping former inmates and to support their businesses.

Zipporah Andia, a senior marine officer at KPA, echoed this sentiment. She stressed that the skills gained during incarceration enable women to become productive citizens.

The prison continues to provide training and recreational programmes, including drama and tailoring.

The three selected inmates are now awaiting a formal review before their release is approved.