I blame drugs for killing my lover, says theology inmate

Nairobi, Kenya: Rahab Muchiri, 27, is remorseful as she narrates how she stabbed her boyfriend to death for questioning her on wayward behaviour, including drug abuse.

As she narrated the ordeal of that faithful day, Ms Muchiri noted that she was under the influence of drugs when she killed her lover, a crime that landed her in jail where she is to spend 25 years.

In an interview with The Standard at the Lang’ata Women Prison, Muchiri said at the time of the crime, she was a drug addict and that questioning her about drugs was tantamount to infringing on her privacy.

But two years into her jail-term, she claims to have reformed, embraced Christianity and even completed a diploma course in Theology.

Muchiri was among the 40 women who graduated in Theology and pleaded with the society to accept and grant them a second chance when, and if, they ever leave prison.

The graduation was not an ordinary graduation. It was the first to be held in the women’s correctional institution.

“I was drunk and under influence of drugs. When I arrived at the house in the early hours of the morning, my boyfriend confronted me and I stabbed him several times leading to his death,” she said.

She blames anger and drug addiction, which resulted to her landing in prison. The last born in a family of four now knows the negative effects of drugs abuse.

Marriage squabbles

In addition, Muchiri was among the inmates who won awards for their exemplary performance.

Reflecting on her road to healing, she wants her fellow inmates to study Theology as it has changed her life.

“I urge my fellow inmates to participate in the course because it is of great importance. If you are a changed person, you change the society and overcome a lot of challenges,” she added.

Besides, she has also learned crocheting, and calls upon people to control their anger lest it lands them in trouble.

Mary Wanjiku, 26, who also graduated with the same diploma in Theology, is serving a six-year jail term for murder the of her house help.

“I was three months pregnant when my house help provoked me. I stabbed her with a kitchen knife and she died on her way to hospital,” she said in remorse.

 

She noted that most of the cases in the prison are family related and appealed to families to resolve their issues amicably instead of turning their homes to battle fields.

“Most of the cases here are between a husband and wife. I encourage families to live in peace and resolve their differences instead of initiating fights,” she said.

The mother of one who is the leader of praise and worship team in the prison has also learned dress making and bakery.

Prison warden Zipphorah Ndung’u who also serves as catechist has taken the role of motivating the inmates to help them not suffer psychological distress while in prison.

“We also act motherly and fatherly roles so that if they have a problem, they can share with us. We also do remote parenting where their children and families visit and spent time with their loved ones for a day,” she said.

Though she has other roles to attend to, Ms Ndung’u has maintained a balance between her work and domestic roles.

Pastor Charles Maina of PCEA Lang’ata parish said the Theology course will have a holistic impact to the lives of the inmates so that they can integrate with the community when they leave the prison.

Deputy Senior Commissioner of Prisons Wanini Kireri said spiritual matters tops in the list of inmates’ lives and wants the society to accept them when their time to leave prison comes.