Stories
October, 2026
From Incarceration to Beacon of Justice
Juma, a male adult aged 40 years old, was born on 4th June, 1986, and hails from Kakamega County. He is a family man, married and blessed with one child. He is a mason by profession with grade one. In his life as the breadwinner to his family, he opted to change site in looking for a greener pasture to cater for his beloved family. He travelled more than 500 km away from his home to Kwale County where he found fit for him to earn a living.
The pool of greener pasture turned sour on Monday 23rd April, 2018, after being arrested by Kwale police officers. He was taken to Kwale Law Court on the same day and pleaded not guilty of five counts of breaking and stealing. He was thereafter taken to Kwale Main Prison and remanded. Mr. Juma was provided with a bond of Ksh 500 thousand shillings. He was unable to pay or get assistance from his family.
He was dull in legal matters hence he canvassed his trial blindly. He remained in custody until Friday 22nd February 2019 when he was sentenced to ten (10) years imprisonment. He panicked and a black cloud covered his life, losing hope for his family at home. Being the breadwinner for his family, double traps bombarded his mind; his family and serving the sentence. He trusted God and his instinct that God will be with him. He was immediately transferred to Shimo la Tewa Maximum Prison on the very day of his sentencing. At Shimo Maximum he focused on spiritual rehabilitation program under the Catholic doctrine and participated actively where he served as the chairman of the Catholic Church Community of the prisoners.
On November 2023 he was transferred to Shimo La Tewa Medium Prison. At Shimo Medium he elongated with the spiritual program under Catholic Chaplaincy. The emerging of Justice Nest at the prison became pivotal to his life and the entire prison fraternity. He applied, was shortlisted and finally selected to be among the pioneers of the paralegal staff at the prison. Successfully underwent training organized by Justice Nest, a non-governmental organization. He rose to deputy captain position at Shimo La Tewa Medium due to his determination and hard work in the legal arena. Having served for Justice Nest for almost two years, Mr. Juma has served more than 85 clients at the Justice Nest office, out of which 30 inmates joined their families after being released from custody with the legal aid from Mr. Juma.
He served clients wholeheartedly, advising clients on their trial at the office and even at their wards. He used to coach them on how to present themselves during their trials and in the morning he expressed confidence on the outcome expected by the client. As a paralegal officer, Mr. Juma was a beacon of rehabilitation and transition of many families whose fathers and children came across with him at the legal arena. Friday 23rd October, 2026, was jubilant at Shimo Medium Paralegal office, one of their own, Mr. Juma, was marking his D-Day of his normal release. The doors loosened for Juma. A free man energized with spiritual skills, instilled with legal aid matters.
A father figure ready to reunite with his family, the door finally opened for him from physical custody, ready to mingle with the public fully equipped. Shimo Medium Prison Paralegal team wishes him well as he rejoins with his family.
Asha Saidi-Legal Aid Advocate
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