Kajiado and Kitengela Prisons Officers on the weekend participated in an inter-station football match at Kajiado, Ildamat stadium with an aim of raising awareness on drug and substance abuse and promoting physical fitness.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency, Kajiado Prisons Commander Mr William Nyangere revealed that, the match was organized by the Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons Mr Barnabus Keino under the Rift Valley zone to bring prison officers together and to improve their physical well-being.
‘Basically, these games have been organized to bring us together as the prison family. Being that Kitengela is our sister station and I am the Kajiado prison commander I am happy that the games are going on well and the officers are exercising. Our zones consist of Loitotok, Kitengela, Kajiado, and Naivasha. We are yet to play Naivasha,’ said Nyangere before the start of the match.
Jacob Mbithi, Kajiado’s main Prison Welfare Officer explained that the aim of the games was to promote physical fitness, create a platform for networking among the prison officers, and to raise awareness on drug and substance abuse because the majority of the youths waste their lives after abusing drugs.
‘Some of the reasons as to why we have such matches is to promote physical fitness amongst our members of staff, we would also like to create awareness about drug and substance abuse as many youths are getting trapped into drugs which end up ruining their lives,” explained Mbithi.
Kitengela prison welfare officer Ruth Mwende reiterated Mbithi’s sentiments adding:
‘We want to make it clear to the youths that when they consume drugs it is difficult for them to engage in activities like ballgames because drugs shut down their bodies. I would like to call upon the youths to use their free time to play games instead of abusing drugs.’
Mwende urged the residents to take their time and train with the prison officers whenever they see them exercising and playing ball games.
Source: Kenya News Agency