Bishop Mark Kadima of the Bungoma Catholic Diocese has called on Kenyans to embrace the spirit of peace, love, and unity this festive season. During the commissioning of 54 inmates at Korinda Main Prison as Catholic faithful, Bishop Kadima emphasized the power of forgiveness, stating that if forgiveness were practiced more, prisons would not be so crowded.
“I urge everyone to embrace the spirit of forgiveness. Let us forgive each other so that God may forgive us. Peace and love are essential, especially at this time of year. If you have something, share it with others—that is how we show the love of Christ,” he said.
The bishop also presented Christmas gifts to the inmates, including food, clothes, and other essentials.
SP Moses Ekombe, the Deputy in Charge of the Prison, appealed to the church to continue supporting the facility to meet the needs of the inmates. “While the government provides basic necessities, it’s not enough to fully meet the inmates’ needs. We urge the church to help so that our brothers and sisters here can feel more comfortable,” he said. He also requested prayers for the officers working with inmates, asking for wisdom in handling their duties.
Ekombe also emphasized that prison should be seen as a place of correction, not just suffering. “It’s a place that helps individuals become better people. We’ve witnessed many inmates who were not baptized but have received the sacrament while here. Today, we are also celebrating the graduation of individuals into the Catholic Men’s Association (CMA) and Catholic Women’s Association (CWA).”
SP Everline Papa, in charge of the women’s section, highlighted the significance of confirming inmates into these associations. “In my section, there are around 50 women, and three have been commissioned into the Catholic Women’s Association. This responsibility comes with the expectation that they will serve as good role models, guiding fellow inmates according to God’s ways. The rehabilitation process changes them, and when they complete their sentences, they return to society fully transformed,” she said.
Benson Ledama, an inmate, called on families to embrace forgiveness in order to prevent young people from ending up in prison. “Many of us are here for petty offenses that could have been forgiven. Let’s try to resolve family issues peacefully to prevent imprisonment,” he said.
Currently, the prison is home to 700 inmates.
