Chess for Freedom: Kenyan Inmates Embrace the Ancient Game as a Tool for Rehabilitation
The black-and-white stripes of Brian Gatonye's prison uniform match the pieces staring back at him from the chessboard at Kenya's Maranjau Prison. The 27-year-old has served about 18 months of a three-year sentence for assault and is due to be released in November 2027. During a break in the prison yard, he considers his next move: a pawn, perhaps, or a knight. The break isn't long, but if he finishes the game quickly he may have time to face one of the skilled guards. But it is unwise to rush or act impulsively — in chess as in life, he has learned.
"Chess has taught me a lot," Gatonye said. "It has taught me being calm, choosing my decisions wisely. Before doing an act, I have to think first of what the repercussions are — and then I move."
Gatonye is among a growing number of Kenyan prisoners who have taken up chess in recent years. The game has become part of rehabilitation programs in the country's prisons, where officials and participants say it encourages patience, problem-solving and interaction between prisoners and guards. At Maranjau, which holds about 450 prisoners according to Superintendent Humphrey Young, some choose chess over resting or playing soccer during their free time. They are drawn by the competition and what they say the game does for their state of mind.
"Chess has become one of our integral programs," Young said. "Some of the skills chess teaches our offenders as they reintegrate back to society is how they can improve their problem-solving processes, and how they can think around issues that affect them once they're out."
Chess programs have operated in some Kenyan prisons since at least 2022. The government has supported the initiative alongside the International Chess Federation, known as FIDE, Chess Kenya and The Gift of Chess, a nonprofit organization that distributes chess sets. The game is now played in all 134 prisons in Kenya, according to Phylis Ngigi, global outreach director for The Gift of Chess.
The initiative operates under the banner of "Chess for Freedom," a program recognized by FIDE and operating under its Social Commission. The program is a global initiative that has successfully introduced chess in several Kenyan correctional facilities, aiming to enhance prisoners' cognitive skills, encourage positive mental engagement, and foster a sense of community through chess.
Kenya participated for the first time in FIDE's Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners in 2024. In that championship, Kenya was represented by three teams competing in the Open, Women's, and Youth sections, showcasing the country's commitment to inclusivity in the international event. Competitions are also held between Kenyan prisons, while some guards have been trained as chess coaches and play alongside prisoners.
At Maranjau, Young said the games create opportunities for prisoners and guards to interact in a less formal setting. The program's impact extends beyond the board — it is reshaping the daily rhythm of prison life.
Supporters say chess offers more than recreation. Responsibility and the ability to work with others are important elements of prison rehabilitation, said Monica Njoroge, a project officer at Resources Oriented Development Initiatives. The Kenyan nonprofit runs farming programs in prisons, where participants tend communal gardens while learning agricultural skills that could help them find work after their release. Njoroge is not involved in the chess program, but she frequently visits Maranjau and has watched prisoners play.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts to address Kenya's prison population, which has continued to rise, reaching approximately 60,740 inmates in 2025. Of those, 40.3 percent were unconvicted remand prisoners, according to the 2026 Economic Survey report. Kenya's 135 correctional institutions hold over 60,000 individuals, many of whom remain in pre-trial detention for extended periods. Against this backdrop, programs that offer constructive engagement and skill-building have gained traction.
The "Chess for Freedom" program specifically aims to enhance prisoners' cognitive skills, encourage positive mental engagement, and foster a sense of community through chess.
The program has connected Kenya to a wider international movement. The African Continental Championship for Prisoners, held under FIDE's "Chess for Freedom" initiative, featured 11 teams from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana. Kenya's representation included both female and youth teams, reflecting the country's growing commitment to the initiative.
Kenya's participation in the Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners in 2024 marked a significant milestone. The teams competed in three categories, with organizational efforts led by Rodah Olisa, Gender and Special Needs Secretary, and Phyllis Ngigi, Global Outreach Director at The Gift of Chess, alongside various prison officials. FA David Lekopien oversaw the event as the Site Arbiter, ensuring fair play and adherence to rules.
Ngigi, who is from Nairobi, was introduced to the world of chess through her daughter Bernice, the current U12 Champion of Kenya. The more she learned about chess and the incredible impact it can have, the more inspired she was to share it with others. Under her leadership, The Gift of Chess has set a goal to provide 1,000 chess sets to each African country, with 5,000 sets set for distribution across Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda.
Kenya's prison chess program has not been independently studied, and its long-term effects on behavior or reoffending are unknown. While not a panacea, chess has emerged as an example of how novel methods can improve prisoner rehabilitation. In a prison system grappling with overcrowding and limited resources, a simple board game has become an unlikely tool for transformation, one move at a time.
Based on material by by The Associated Press apnews.com, with additional information from FIDE, Chess Kenya, and The Gift of Chess.
AP Photo\Patrick Ngugi
