During the Correctional Senior Women Conference at Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru on Thursday, November 21, Emily Amakobe was definitely in the list of spectacular performers who were not to be left out in the awards, after a brave act of making an arrest to an escaped convict she met coincidentally.
Through a Twitter post, Kenya Prisons Service confirmed that the incident happened along Lang’ata Road where Amakobe risked her life to ensure the prison escapee was recaptured.
“Among those honoured in this photo with 5 Cabinet secretaries during the Correctional Senior Women Conference at Prisons Staff Training College Ruiru is Emilly Amakobe who while in a Matatu on Lang'ata Road, alighted to arrest a male Prisoner whom she had known to have escaped from Langata Prison,” read the tweet.
According to a source who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, the gallant officer conducted the brave act single-handedly and without being armed, an act that has eventually earned her recognition.
“Emily observed the convict from far and identified him. She immediately alighted and went farther to face him head-on. Her bravery helped bring back the convict who had no escape,” the source familiar with the incident who sought anonymity narrated to this writer.
Emily was awarded in an event that was had high-level government representation including Cabinet secretaries Fred Matiang'i, Margaret Kobia, Monicah Juma, Faridah Karoney and Raychelle Omamo.
“I urged the officers to exploit opportunities available including training. I also extended an opportunity for one officer from the [service] to be incorporated into the gender sector working group which addresses Gender Equality and Empowerment issues including GBV,” read a post on CS Kobia’s Twitter page.
Others present include Permanent Secretary Correctional Services Zeinab Hussein and Commissioner General for Prisons Wycliffe Ogalo.
Other officers who were awarded include Dorcas Mutheu who spearheaded the Greening Kenya Campaign and Kereri Wanini as the outstanding Correctional Service Employee of the Year.
The Correctional Senior Women Conference Awards are now scheduled to be happening every year, with an aim of bringing recognition to female prison staff who perform exemplarily in their duties.
According to the Department of Correctional and Rehabilitation Service, the prison staff stands at approximately 22,000 comprising of uniformed officers and auxiliary staff.
