On August 6th 2021, KRA and DCI officers raided a liquor store in Kirubia, Tharaka Nithi County arresting the attendant Ann Makena for selling contraband liquor. Unknown to her, her employer only identified as “Prezzo” had stocked the contraband liquor prompting her arrest.
Makena, who had only worked at the enterprise for 4 days was sentenced to 3 years in prison or pay a fine of 100,000 which her family was unable to raise, leaving her with no option but to serve her time in prison after her employer “Prezzo” went into hiding.
6 months later, Judith Grace Akinyi, who runs Saga Prison Stories came across Makena in Mwingi Prison and highlighted her plight on YouTube, appealing to Kenyans and well wishers to come to her rescue, an act that would later prove to be Makena’s saving grace.
On Thursday 7th April, Makena was free at last. With the support of Saga Prison Stories, Foundations, Organizations and well-wishers, her fine, which had now reduced to 80,000 was fully paid allowing her to return home a free citizen.
A homecoming dinner was held at Lowlands Hotel and Spa, organized by the hotel proprietors, well-wishers, foundations and organizations responsible for Makena’s release where they promised to continue supporting her towards achieving her dreams.
Makena and her mother, who couldn’t hide their tears of joy thanked all support groups and individuals who made the release possible, saying they were left hopeless without a solution and had given up on raising the remaining funds to pay for the fine.
Businessman cum politician John Mbabu, who facilitated Makena’s homecoming and financed her secondary education found faults with the courts, and called for justice in the judicial system. He went on to promise his support towards Makena and her family.
“The DPP and the Judiciary have failed. This is a clear testimony that so many people are languishing in jail and they don’t know what for. When convicting someone, I ask the courts to ensure there is enough evidence” – John Mbabu
Karen Kendi and Si Kelly speaking on behalf of Ubuntu Movement and Enlightened Generation International respectively, thanked well-wishers and people of good will for standing with Makena’s family and called for more support in the provision of basic needs to the family, with suggestions of opening up a business for Makena’s mother who is a casual laborer.
Comments