Kenyan prison hosts fashion show for inmates

By Andrew Wasike and Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya

Inmates at a women's maximum security prison in Kenya on Tuesday celebrated Valentine's Day with dance and fashion after the facility provided food, drinks, and flowers to the inmates.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Lang'ata Prison Warden Olivia Onyango said that for many inmates at the facility, Feb. 14 is usually a “depressing day, as most of them are not visited, especially the many foreigners who are serving their sentences here.”

Wearing prison uniforms with blue and white stripes, hundreds of women were given flowers by prison officials before being entertained by Kenyan celebrities.

“Today there is a lot of love and sharing out there in the community, so we decided to shower them with the love that everyone is receiving,” said Onyango.

“They will dance, eat, laugh, and enjoy themselves,” she said, adding, “Most are not even visited by their families anymore, it makes me happy to see that they are happy.”

The prison hosted a fashion show, which is part of their rehabilitation, featuring inmates in heels cat-walking down a makeshift stage showcasing clothes they made themselves.

Onyango adds that the event aims to bring inmates together.

Nancy Njeri was among those who participated in the fashion show.

“I love doing this and my friends are here to cheer me on, the feeling is just amazing. I have my makeup on, my hair looks wonderful, I feel beautiful. It makes me forget that I have years to serve here,” Njeri told Anadolu Agency, adding that once she finishes serving her time she wants to be a professional model.

Njeri says receiving flowers from strangers is a great move aimed at making the inmates receptive to correction and motivating them to be better at whatever they learn while in prison.

The prison had also invited the inmates’ loved ones to celebrate with them.