The Mountain Journal
A NGO has been lauded by the stakeholders for the persistent fight against the use of harmful chemicals and fertilisers in the farms.
Rodi Kenya was celebrated for also taking an active lead in promoting agroecology, supporting the rehabilitation of prisoners, and the introduction of life skills.
The Executive Director Esther Bett said that in 35 years, there has been active collaboration between the organisation and the Kenya Prisons Services, focusing on the rehabilitation of the prisoners, integration with the community among other programmes.
She spoke at the launch of the organisation’s Five Year Strategic Plan 2026-2030, a function presided over by the Deputy Director General of Prisons, Mr Nicholas Maswai at the Rodi Kenya’s office along the Eastern By Pass.
Ms Bett said through agroecological, the majority of the prisoners upon release farmers continued producing healthy foods for their families, and selling the surplus.
“ Agroecology farming practice has helped to improve the condition of our soils, after years of application of hazardous chemicals and fertilizers thus messing up with fertility of our soils,” said Bett.
In the last 30 years, the pack with the prison department has impacted vocation training knowledge to 45,300 prisoners, and 4,120 ex-convicts in reintegration with the community.
Maswai said in the period 38,800 pre-trial detainees have been provided legal aid, efforts that significantly reduced re offending culture and enhanced human rights compliance.
Maswai lauded the organisation for the impact made to the convicts and the ex-convicts through educating them on life skills and agroecology.
The intervention has transformed the life of the prisoners through behavioural change and promoting organic farming.
“We have former convicts who are earning a living through the training they got from Rodi Kenya, “said Maswai.
Mr Maswai said 4,000 ex-convicts have been integrated with their community upon completion of their jail term.
David Mburu, says many of the farmers have turned to organic farming upon realising the threats over prolonged use of chemicals and fertilisers in their farms.
Mburu said embracing organic foods, the majority of the diseases among them cancer, will be reduced.
“I am one of the people who got interested in organic farming when I was serving a jail term in Nairobi West prison, and today have recruited hundreds of farmers in Kiambu county,” added Mburu.
Present included the Rodi Kenya Chairman Lenny Njogu, David Karanja ( OACK), Legal Resource Forum Executive Director Esau Riaroh, Dr Zacharia Mwangi ( Witness Protection Board), and Kiambu County Government Agriculture department, among other guests.
