From Unlimited Love to Seeds of Change: Kibos Maximum Security Prison joins the world in a celebration of Peace

As the 4th World March for Peace and Nonviolence moved across cities and communities around the world, a different kind of movement was taking place within the walls of Kibos Maximum Security Prison in Kisumu, Kenya.

The journey at Kibos began with #UnlimitedLove, a program on Valentine’s Day seeking to promote the internal renewal of inmates.Afterwards, the Human Development Program carried out through the Internal Development thematic table of the Worle Humanist Forum went on growing into “Seeds of Hope“, which created a space for participants to look within, reflect on their humanity and explore how inner transformation can influence the way we relate with others.

Now, the celebration of peace and nonviolence became another meaningful step in this journey.

Picture has been blurred to avoid inmates identification for security constraints.

Participants reflected on what peace means to them and the kind of world they would love to see. Their thoughts and hopes were written on placards, expressing their desire for a world free from violence. Together, they used the placards to create a peace sign.

They then stood together with their facilitators and formed a circle, symbolising the peace sign through their bodies. It was a simple but powerful expression of unity, reminding everyone that peace can begin with people coming together, recognising one another and choosing nonviolence.

For the participants, peace was not simply the absence of conflict. They described it as a space free from violence—a space where the mind, heart and body can experience relaxation, safety and inner calm.

At the heart of their reflection was a simple slogan that has become meaningful within the Kibos programme: “I see you in me — in me I see you.”

 

These words gave deeper meaning to the celebration. Peace becomes possible when we begin to recognise ourselves in others and others in ourselves. It invites us to look beyond labels, circumstances and walls and to see the shared humanity that connects us.

The circle formed at Kibos was therefore more than a symbol. It represented connection, unity and a shared commitment to peace.

From #UnlimitedLove, to Seeds of Hope, and now to the celebration of the 4th World March for Peace and Nonviolence, the journey at Kibos continues to show that transformation can begin from within.

From behind the prison walls, their voices joined those of people across the world with a simple message: Peace begins within us. Nonviolence begins with how we see one another.

“I see you in me — in me I see you.”

Picture has been blurred due to security constraints to avoid inmates identification

Pressenza Kenya