Ann Makena from Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County got employed at a wines and spirit shop in Chuka Town. 3 days later into her new job, the Kenya Bureau of Standards [KEBS] officers arrested her for selling counterfeit liquor, something she was not aware of since she found them already stocked by the owner. Her employer proceeded to court promising to intervene and make sure she was freed only not to follow up.
22-year-old Makena was then later taken to court and the court ruled for her to serve 3 years in jail or pay a fine of Ksh100,000. Since her mom was not able to raise the money, she ended up in jail.
Enlightened Generation International [EGI] learned her story online through YouTube where our Executive Director had been tagged, and also through one of the county’s Facebook pages where her story had been highlighted and is an organization that operates in the interests of protecting women and girls’ child rights in her home area, it acted fast. EGI partnered with SAGA prison and other well-wishers to make sure that Makena was freed after 6 months and arrived home safely from Mwingi.
On the 6th of April 2022, our Executive Director Kelly Karimi Rwigi, HSC was at the forefront and other partners in her homecoming at Lowlands Hotel.
Finally, Enlightened Generation International was able to get volunteers to sponsor her education in Meru County.
