Two weeks ago I had to pick up a colleague working in Langata Women’s Prison from shopping. She was standing in front of the supermarket beside three armed policemen and surrounded by bystanders. Close to my colleague was a woman, who was under strict surveillance. She knew me right away from prison work and called my name. Three full bottles of Whisky were lying underneath her on the floor, which she had stolen from the supermarket. Furthermore she was carrying new, expensive sneakers in a plastic bag – also stolen goods from another shop. Because of these she was arrested and was supposed to be taken to the police station and afterwards to be brought to Remand Prison. My colleague introduced me to the police as a prison pastor. That was the moment when I could start bringing me into operation for the captured lady. She was mother of three kids, single parent and suffering from Aids. The police finally approved that the woman can go to the supermarket`s office and write a letter of apology. As a punishment she had to give in her mobile phone and the money she was carrying along (around 2500 KES). In the end she was set free with a severe warning by the police. I was astonished by the fact, that a white like me could save somebody in Kenya from the imprisonment.

Fr. Peter Meienberg