Mourice Achola

Mourice Achola is a groundbreaking figure in Kenya’s correctional services, serving as the country’s first sign language interpreter for correctional officers. What sets Mourice apart is not just his role, but his purpose he trained in sign language through the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and chose to apply this skill where it’s rarely seen: within the prison system.

Currently based in Busia, Mourice has used his unique expertise to bridge a critical communication gap between correctional staff and incarcerated individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. His presence has transformed the way justice, rehabilitation, and human dignity are experienced behind bars. For many inmates, he has been the first person to listen and be understood in a language they can access.

Through his work, Mourice is not just interpreting words; he is restoring voice and agency to individuals long excluded from systems of care and rehabilitation. His commitment to inclusion has enabled better legal understanding, improved rehabilitation outcomes, and renewed hope for countless lives.

Mourice Achola represents a powerful model of what it means to serve with empathy and innovation. In a space too often overlooked, he has chosen to show up differently and in doing so, he is changing lives, one sign at a time.