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Be Kind, Be Good, Be Nice, Be the Good Samaritan.
The following story is a classic example of the good Samaritan. A.K, a mother of one, was imprisoned over a disputed debt of Ksh 17,000 (USD130), forcibly separated from her five-year-old son. Surviving on a modest income of about Ksh. 7,000 (USD 50) and burdened by existing school fee arrears, more than 5 times her wages, the imprisonment threatened to push her family deeper into crisis. Her case, which cited an incorrect amount owed, highlighted the systemic vulnerabilities that can trap marginalized individuals in the justice system.
“Nili fast siku 3 na nikamwambia Mungu, aki hii kesi, niondolee tu, sijui aje lakini najua utaniokoa” (Translation: “I fasted for 3 days and told God to help clear charges, I don’t know how but I know you will save me”. A.K stated. A.K’s distressed condition and moving story caught the attention of a good Samaritan who acted by getting in touch with our legal advocate. Touched by her plight, he offered to pay her debt in full, leading the complainant to withdraw the charges. She later came to find out that the one who paid off my debt was her neighbor back at home, she asked her brother to find him, and thank him. She happily expressed her joy after securing her release in an unexpected way that she attributed to a miracle.
Now free, A.K is receiving psychosocial support from Justice Nest to aid in her reintegration and healing. Her case is a powerful example of why we advocate for policies that reduce the reliance on imprisonment for petty offences and promote holistic, family-centric solutions. True justice is achieved when a community comes together to support and strengthen its own.
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