Press Release 15/09/11

Kenyan Prison Reformer Shortlisted For Guardian Award

Ex-prisoner turned prisoner reformer, Kelvin Mwikya, from Kenya, is one of just five people to be shortlisted for the 2011 Guardian International Development Achievement award.

Now in its third year, the award is designed to recognise some of the unsung heroes of international development. Public voting is open now and closes on 2nd October.

"Andrew MacKay, Chair of Philemon UK, the foundation supporting Kelvin, says "it is a privilege to assist the work of Kelvin and Philemon Kenya, the charity which he leads.  Kelvin has worked hard to impact his society for the better, and has earned the respect of senior figures across Kenyan government and society. 

We are delighted that Kelvin has been recognised by this nomination, and we hope that more people will now get to hear of his remarkable story and work.”

Gary Swart, of Tearfund’s Inspired Individuals initiative, which also supports Kelvin’s work, says, “We are delighted that Kelvin’s achievements have been recognised. As an ex-offender, he has not only beaten unbelievable odds to re-integrate into society but has gone above and beyond by paving the way for thousands of others to do the same.

“Thanks to his determination and a passion for the vulnerable, Kelvin has come from being the lowest in society to causing widespread systematic change.”

Kelvin was sentenced to 15 years on a dubious robbery charge in 1993. Coming from a very poor family, he was unable to pay the traditional bribe to secure his release and was forced to serve five of the 15 year sentence.

Describing the prison conditions, Kelvin says, “We would sleep so closely together that if one person wanted to turn over, he would slap the wall and the noise would tell everyone to turn over together. Because so many of us had open wounds, each time people turned over some would start crying because their wounds would have been scraped and re-opened.”

On his release, Kelvin struggled to reintegrate into society, as his family and community rejected him. Kelvin realised that the majority of ex-offenders faced the same stigma and could see why so many returned to crime.

Instead of a life of crime, Kelvin chose to dedicate his life to improving conditions within the prisons as well as improving opportunities for ex-offenders on their release, by establishing the Philemon Foundation.

The Philemon Foundation runs the only halfway house for ex-offenders in Kenya, providing homes, practical help and employment skills to help them reintegrate into society.

As reoffending rates plummeted for those involved in the Philemon programme, Kelvin’s work was noticed by the Kenyan government. Kelvin was invited to spearhead a national training programme for prison wardens and became involved in a taskforce to re-draft the Criminal Justice Act.

Thanks to Kelvin’s work over 380 ex-offenders in Kenya have been reconciled with their families and their communities, 20,000 prisoners have improved access to basic human rights, and in 2010 the government of Kenya positively revised its national Criminal Justice Act.

To vote for any of the five shortlisted candidates, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/achievementsaward Voting closes on 2nd October. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on 17 November.

ENDS

For further information or interview requests please call:

Andrew MacKay, Chair, Philemon UK on 07872 626361

 
Notes to Editors:

The Guardian International Development Achievement award is designed to recognise people who have made a profound contribution to the alleviation of poverty. http://www.guardian.co.uk/achievementsaward/

Philemon is a charitable foundation started by Kelvin Mwikya in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002. The charity provides food, shelter, counselling, community, training and employment to prisoners and former prisoners.  The charity is supported by the Office of the Vice-President of Kenya, and has received a favourable commendation from Lord Goldsmith, former attorney General. 

Philemon UK was established as a charity in England and Wales in 2004, and supports Philemon in Kenya through finance, encouragement, profile raising and communications. Philemon UK is currently chaired by Andrew MacKay (andrewkmackay[at]gmail.com and 07872 626361). More information on Kelvin and Philemon can be found at www.philemon.org.

Tearfund’s Inspired Individuals initiative seeks to identify, support and resource Christian social entrepreneurs – change agents - whose unique vision has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people living in poverty. www.inspiredindividuals.org

Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency building a global network of churches to help eradicate poverty. www.tearfund.org