NYANZA
By James Omoro | Jun 9th 2022 | 2 min read
An organisation has started an initiative to plant one million trees in Homa Bay Prison and empower inmates jailed for capital offences at the facility.
The program aims to guarantee the prisoners serving long-term periods a source of capital to start a business when they complete their sentences once the trees mature and are sold.
Green World, in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), has started planting eucalyptus in the prison on Wednesday.
Seedlings are provided by the organization and planted by inmates under the supervision of prison officers and the organization’s officials. The programme involves propagating the trees so that when they are sold upon maturity. Money from the sales is given to inmates at the end of their jail term.
Green World Secretary-General Isaac Otieno, Homa Bay County Director of NEMA Josiah Nyandoro and the prison’s Farm Manager Isaiah Ndege launched the programme at Homa Bay Prison.
Otieno said they are planning eucalyptus between now and December to achieve one million trees. The trees are expected to mature in three years.
He said they had identified Kenya Power and other organizations as their buyers when the trees mature.
“The organizations will purchase the trees when they mature. The money will be given to inmates for starting businesses at home when their jail terms end,” Otieno said.
He said the programme is aimed at enabling the inmates to practise skills they acquire from prison.
“There are many inmates who acquire various skills such as carpentry and other technical skills but they lack capital for starting business venture. This initiative will give them capital,” said Otieno.
Nyandoro said the programme will also enhance the conservation of the environment. “Trees are very significant in the conservation of the environment. Trees are a source of money and everybody in the society should plant them,” Mr Nyandoro said.
Ndege added that the project will reduce vices in society.
“If an inmate leaves this prison with capital for starting a business venture, their lives will be uplifted and this will reduce crime in the society,” said Mr Ndege.
The Green World will spread the project to prisons in other counties later.
