ARCHBISHOP PHILIP ANYOLO LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN TO HELP LANG’ATA PRISON INMATES
Archbishop Philip Anyolo, in partnership with the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Correctional Services, Dr. Salome Beacco, has launched the ‘He for He Triple-Decker Bed Campaign’ at Nairobi West Prison in Lang’ata.
The initiative, warmly embraced by the Catholic Men Association (CMA) in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, aims to fabricate at least 20,000 triple-decker beds to cater to the average population of approximately 57,000 men incarcerated in correctional facilities across the country.
In his address, His Grace Archbishop Anyolo commended the efforts made to restore dignity to incarcerated men, describing the initiative as “a positive step towards humanizing those held within prison walls.” He emphasized that the campaign reflects the Church’s role in evangelization and the pursuit of social justice.
“This campaign is important and is incorporated into evangelism. It is an expression of the love of Christ. Let’s take care of one another to make prisons better places for rehabilitation,” he stated.
Dr. Salome Beacco noted that the launch is intended to ignite a broader movement focused on protecting dignity, justice, and humanity within correctional facilities.
“Today,
we gather not merely to launch a physical installation. We are here because we
believe that where there is incarceration, there must also be compassion,” she
said.
She added that the Triple-Decker Bed Campaign reflects a strong commitment to
the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Offenders—also known as
the Nelson Mandela Rules—but more importantly, it reflects conscience.
“We are choosing a path that prioritizes humanity, recognizing that confinement
must never translate into indignity.”
The launch event was graced by several distinguished guests, including the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kenya, H.E. Sultan Hajiyev; Mr. Patrick Aranduh, MBS, Commissioner General of the Prisons Service; representatives from the Catholic Men Association led by CMA Chaplain Fr. Bernard Ndichu; and other notable dignitaries.
