No prison wall could block voices of talented youth

By George  Orido

In 2010 there was a lot of excitement about Africa’s hosting the biggest sports event in the world for the first time and to make it distinctly the African World Cup, the Vuvuzela was a dominant feature at the venue, South Africa.

Although the West so loathed the horn-like instrument that they banned it in their land, it has remained a fixture in many competitions in Africa — as well as at parties.

As the preparation for the world’s greatest football bonanza was on top gear, young Joseph Kyalo also came up with an idea of his ‘World Cup’.
Having no TV at home and dreading missing the fun at the competition, Kyalo and his friends decided to steal and broke into a neighbour’s house in Njiru and took a new TV set, solar panel and other household effects.
This action would be the beginning of a long journey to the gallows of Borstal,a facility for juveniles at the Shimo la Tewa Prison, after being arrested and found guilty before a court of law.

Today, Kyalo has put that incident behind him and has discovered a better talent — his creativity. He is part of an exciting group of inmates, the Borstal Juvenile Prison School Choir, which is stealing the limelight at the ongoing Kenya Music Festivals in Meru.

Standing ovation

When the choir performed in Class 213C with their piece, Wasia wa Wazazi, a composition by Hoberty Kyangangu and directed by their teacher George Gitonga,  the audience gave them a standing ovation. They won a trophy for their splendid performance.

In the Kiswahili song,  the boys talk of their repentance and seek forgiveness from all they had wronged.

They also say that their experiences so far have taught them that those who do not listen to parents will be truly punished by the world, which they captured in their lyrics: “Kweli asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu.”

Some of the boys are currently in primary school while others are doing vocational courses such as  masonry, carpentry and horticulture training, among other beneficial courses.

Kevin Njuguna, who was found guilty of stealing Sh10,000 from his uncle with whom he was staying, says his joining the choir has helped him reflect about his future and has since decided his  thieving ways are now in the past.

“When we sing the songs, they have words and lessons about values that make humans live in harmony and relate well with others. These are the values I have embraced; they make sense to me now,” he says.

His colleague, Alex Njoki, admits that had he not joined the choir, which was started just two years ago, he might not have reconciled with his past.

“I had dropped out of school and I wanted some cash to make ends meet. That is why I stole a cartful of sugarcane but was caught,” says Alex who is a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidate.

But for Steve Keriongi, music has been therapeutic. It has helped him psychologically confront his day-to-day realities.

“I was accused of defiling a neighbour’s three-year old daughter but that isn’t true. I was framed,” claims Keriongi, 16, who was jailed one and-a-half years ago. He is due to complete his term in about two years.

Bright future

For these young singers, music is what matters to them now, not what they did in the past. It has made them reflect much on their lives and they know there is a bright future awaiting them.

“When we take these children to participate and mingle with their age mates who are free, they realise just how much they miss their freedom and that encourages them to reform fast,” says Gitonga, the choir founder and conductor.

Gitonga say the support of the Shimo la Tewa Prisons’ boss Aggrey Akoyo, the Prisons Commissioner Isaiah Osugo and Home Affairs PS Ludeki Chweya has been instrumental.

Indeed, they even bought suits for the singers who felt at the top of the world as they performed.

The choir’s performance and attitude shows that art can change behaviour.

Prominent invites

The choir is also getting prominent invites. Recently, they welcomed President Kibaki at the Moi International Airport when he visited Mombasa.

“While other people may see these children as criminals or outcasts, we see them as any other Kenyan who can err. They are young and their future is ahead. That is why we are committed to their rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society,’ explains Mr Akoyo, who says the music initiative is also a way of tapping and retaining talent among the young inmates.

And they are committed. Last year, just months after the formation of the group, the young inmates reached the nations during the music festivals.

Gitonga says that as a special group whose punishment has reached its zenith, dialogue and counselling are the only way to communicate.

“Any form of punishment will yield no result because there is the ultimate rebuke they can get as children,” he says.

The festival’s executive secretary, Benson Abwao, is proud of the group’s achievement: “Our objective of building character has been enhanced by their participation. We hope they will take this opportunity to reform and become dependable citizens.”