How Jacque Maribe's ex fiance Jowie kept himself busy in prison

Piece by: Peninah Njoki
Lifestyle

Joseph Irungu alias Jowie has been released on a 2 million cash bail and a 3 million bond after being behind bars for 1 year 5 months.

Jowie who is ex-fiance to Jacque Maribe had been arrested in September 2018 in connection to Monicah Kimani.

A fan of hers asked her if she is still engaged to Jowie and if the ring she has on is his. One might wonder how Jowie kept himself busy while in prison to get over heartbreak.

Here are jobs he may have done that are normally dished out to prisoners:-

  1. Farming

Shocking as it might be farming is a good business, a prisoner can take advantage and expand his knowledge by joining the Kamiti's farming club.

Normally, the skills learnt help them once they are out of jail, after all kazi ni kazi.

2. Carpentry

Since no guns are allowed in prison prisoners learn to use his hands.

Who knows maybe by the time they get out they will be skilled in creating cool stuff with wood.

3. Preaching or singing club

For those who might not know, Kamiti prison has preachers and singers.

A prisoner might try joining the clubs above who knows they might earn him some good points.

He might actually be released for good behaviour (Maybe, what do I know? All that knowledge I have gathered from watching too many thrillers and crime movies).

4. Cook

According to Omar Ismael, 64, a former Manyani inmate. The coveted role of a cook comes with a lot of requirements.

“You must possess an American height ideal for twisting those long mwiko za ugali'(cooking sticks) inside huge pots.

Muscles are a must as you will be cooking ugali for more than 300 people two times a day," Ismael says.

To be a cook, one must have served a good part of their sentence, undergo physical fitness, medical examinations and a mental checkup.

He added,

“Being of good morals and behaviour is also another qualification.

This is because you might, in a moment of inspired lunacy, poison all askari jela (wardens) and bully inmates,” 

5. Soap making

The soap might be used in or outside the prison. It is sold and the funds used for the prison's upkeep.

6. Mat-making

This skill is important in crafting products that can be sold.

7. Tailoring

This may include making clothes and other things to be used in or outside the prison.

8. Metalwork

This includes making metallic materials whether for prison use or for resell.

9. Mason

In layman's language this is kua mtu wa mkono in a building site (mjengo).

Since Kenyan prisons have no gym this is the only sure way of keeping his muscles ripped.