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Mavuno Takes Christmas To Prison

29th November 2007 @ Nairobi West Prison

The Good Book exhorts us to visit prisoners. For many believers however, this statement has no literal appeal. Not so for the Mavuno Worship Team. Fresh from their tour of the US, the team took an early Christmas treat to Nairobi West prison, to the delight of prisoners and warders alike.

Led by Mavuno senior pastor Mureithi and music director Kanjii Mbugua, they not only took an afternoon of celebratory praise, but also a more lasting gift. Preparations for the afternoon were nothing less of elaborate, with a live band set-up and stacks of sound equipment to enhance auditory capability.

When the prisoners finally came out to the arena, their excitement showed that this indeed was a rare treat for them. As a matter of fact, it was such an unusual occasion that it was graced by the Provincial Prisons Commander, Rose Muturi and the Commissioner of Prisons, Gilbert Omondi.

Prisons Top Brass

The Mavuno Pastors

Pastor Kyalo Gets Things Going

Kanjii Takes The Mic

The entertainment programme kicked off shortly after two, with Hip Hope’s Astar and Michelle doing a good job of getting the party going. Astar’s Angel was especially poignant, as his audience seemed to identify with the past vices of a Godless life. Kanjii did a commendable job of singing Kiki’s part, providing a most interesting collaboration.

The Mavuno worship team was next on stage for an energy packed session of praise with jams like Leo, the Neema-led It Is You and the popular Under The Rock. Although the prisoners were more spectators at the beginning, the team’s enthusiastic energy soon infected them as well, and a few daring ones were soon dancing along. The segment ended in jubilation, giving way for the day’s big event – that most unusual gift we talked about earlier.

Pastor Mureithi was full of praise as he explained that the worship team had donated part of the proceeds from the sale of their CD to buy this gift for the prisoners – 100 triple-decker beds with mattresses. Those familiar with Kenyan prisons know that beds (and mattresses) are unheard of in our jails. The Mavuno team had just made a donation that would ensure that at least 300 prisoners comfortable sleeping arrangements.

Astar Does His Thing

Michelle On Point

It Is You...

Dancing Along

The prison’s Officer-In-Charge, Mrs Margaret Ngujiri could not hide her joy at this unexpected gesture, profusely thanking their benefactors. Mrs Muturi followed in the same breath, before inviting prisons boss Gilbert Omondi. The ‘liberal’ commissioner, as he calls himself, first gave the mic to athletics star Catherine Ndereba, to the delight of the crowd. Ndereba shared her personal testimony, exhorting her listeners to hold on to God. The commissioner then rounded up the speeches segment by touting Mavuno’s gesture as an example all believers should follow.

“We have opened up the prisons to you, the Church”, he said. “Not just to come and gve donations but also come in as counselors and spiritual advisers. You are most welcome to help us improve our prisons system.”

After this, it was the turn of the prisoners to be the entertainers. Hands-down star of the day Okoth Okoth was up first. Before you could say Okoth Okoth, he was taking his audience in a poetic journey into his passion. Oscillating between satirical humor and lifestyle concerns, as he presented two poems, Picture Me and A Friend With Weed, Indeed, Is A Friend In Need. Sample a few lines:

Picture me not in prison,
Picture me in a palace,
God! I hate beans,
There’s an acre in my stomach!

Beds For You!

Catherine Ndereba

The Commissioner, Gilbert Omondi

Okoth Okoth Spits Poetry

A short comedy titled Sheria Hubadilika followed, paying tribute to the change of ‘law’ that allowed them to have beds. They finished up their segment by singing a modified version of the popular Swahili track, Twawaombea, lifting up a prayer for the visitors. It was in all a most interesting segment.

The worship team served a worship interlude with Karimi Rimbui leading on Ombi, before pastor Mbevi delivered a short sermon picked off Jeremiah 29:11. That done with, it was time for ‘one more’ dancing and partying session. After all, what Mavuno gig would be complete without the inevitable ‘motor-car’ routines?

The prisoners took to the moves like fish to water and soon the arena was a jumble of dancing figures, prisoners and warders alike. It was on this celebratory note that the day came to an end – no doubt a memorable one to these residents of Nairobi West prison.