From Tears to Triumph: How Justice Nest Reunited a Mother with Her Family

AW, 28, walked out of Lang’ata Women’s Prison with her 2-year-old child in tow, her tear-streaked face glowing with a smile so radiant it could melt the hardest heart.

For seven days, AW had been confined within the prison walls, unable to raise the Sh2,000 (about USD 15) fine imposed after her arrest for hawking in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

Each passing day deepened her anguish, knowing her detention meant separation from her 8-year-old daughter, who waited anxiously at home in Uthiru.

“I never want to find myself in prison again,” she exclaimed, overwhelmed with gratitude, as Justice Nest stepped in to secure her release, reuniting her family.

AW’s case came to the attention of Justice Nest during a Children’s Court User Committee meeting held at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison daycare on November 22, 2024. The committee, which deliberates on the treatment of children in the justice system, recognised the urgent need to address the plight of mothers like AW.

Hearing the story of this single mother of two, Justice Nest’s founder and executive director, Miriam Wachira, took immediate action.

“I listened intently to her story, every word deepening my conviction that neither AW nor her daughter belonged there,” said Ms. Wachira.

Justice Nest paid the fine, and the court promptly issued her release order.

AW’s journey into incarceration began on November 17, 2024, at Nairobi’s Sunken Car Park. A trained hairdresser, she had struggled to find consistent work to provide for her two children. In desperation, she turned to selling illicit brew, sourcing the product from a friend and selling it to customers for a small profit.

Her first attempt was successful, giving her the courage to expand her reach. However, on her second day at Nairobi CBD’s Skate Arena, with her 2-year-old daughter by her side, she was arrested.

Despite offering the Sh1,500 she had on hand and a promise to clear the balance later, her payment was rejected. With no alternative, she faced a 14-day detainment.

She is currently working with Justice Nest social worker to find a more sustainable source of income.

Her story is just one among many. Across Kenya, countless mothers languish in remand centers, detained not for violent crimes but for poverty-driven offenses. Each case represents a family torn apart, children left vulnerable, and a society in need of compassion.

At Justice Nest, we believe justice is not merely about punishment—it is about hope, restoration, and second chances. By intervening in cases like AW’s, we strive to reunite families, restore dignity, and offer the gift of freedom to mothers and children in vulnerable circumstances.