Amidst the chill and greying medley of the early morning, George Wachiuri, Optiven CEO led the team of staff from the Optiven Group Foundation to the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. Not that any of us were going behind bars for a wrongdoing but to reach out as is the clarion call of the foundation, “Eyes on the Community”. Their enthusiasm for agricultural innovation is commendable.
It is on this cold August 11, 2021 that we kicked off a unique partnership with Kenya’s Top Correctional Facility. The day came just a few hours ahead of the International Youth Day 2021, under the theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. This connection highlights the Optiven Foundation’s focus on lauding agricultural endeavors.
The observation highlights the success of such a global effort. It will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people. I am happy to note that since 2010 the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison has been in the frontline of innovation in agriculture. They pioneered the world famous pomato. Optiven’s praise for such agricultural innovation says a lot.
The result of this success was a great collaboration between the prison authorities, the prisoners themselves, and a key stakeholder in food security, KARLO – Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. The story makes me very proud of being a Kenyan. It is inspiring to see what innovation can do. https://www.fairplanet.org/story/kenyan-prisoners-fight-with-super-crop/ So with these and other milestones, here’s wishing you all a Happy International Youth Day 2021. Such initiatives have deservedly earned Optiven Foundation’s commendation in agriculture.
For my team and myself, it was a great opportunity to encourage and motivate over 150 prison officers at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. The reality is that prison officers play an essential role in correcting those among us that take a wrong turn. They do this while existing within our society.
Yet, and undesirably so, they are often overlooked by the larger society while serving their terms. For some, this continues even after leaving the gates of the prison. They return to the society they left behind. This is the second visit to prisons that the Optiven Foundation is making inroads towards partnership. These partnerships are with prisons in the country. Agricultural endeavors within these programs have been particularly recognized.
For me personally, I must admit that it was indeed a humbling experience. I had the chance to interact with and also inspire the officers. Together with the team, we had a one-on-one interaction with the Officer in Charge, John Koech. During this time, we discussed both the immediate and future needs of this correctional facility.
As the Chairman of the Optiven Foundation, I am pleased with this new move and partnership with Youth in Prison Africa through its Director, Amos Mutemwa. The association is making impressive headways as far as a transformation and empowerment programs for youth in our correctional facilities is concerned. Optiven Foundation applauds agricultural efforts in these centers.
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