Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday, May 8, announced that the government was allocating Ksh1 billion for prisons across the country to purchase modern equipment.
Speaking at Mwea Prison while tracking ongoing prison reforms, Kindiki stated that the move would allow inmates across the country to have the necessary skills to enable them to better integrate into society after they complete their sentence.
Further, Kindiki noted that the move would ensure Kenyan prisons are at par with the modern workshops in terms of standards and help the inmates produce quality products.
“I want to announce that we will be providing Mwea prison and other places across the country with modern equipment to the tune of Ksh1 billion.
“This will make sure that our prisons become the place for rehabilitation, empowerment and preparation of our people who are in prison to become useful members of society,” Kindiki stated,” Kindiki stated.
At the same time, Kindiki revealed that the task force on the reforms in the National Police Service and the Kenya Prison Service was concluding its work and would submit its recommendations to President Ruto later in the month.
He added that the recommendation given would also enable the government to decongest prisons by half.
“In a few months, we will have a new and modern Correctional Services policy and in the next 3 months review laws on prisons, borstal institutions and probation services to match with the 21st Century standards,” Kindiki added.
In addition, Kindiki announced that the government was working on a plan to ensure that every inmate had their own bed and mattress.
“Every inmate has to have their own bed and mattress. The Government will partner with the private sector to make sure the 'One Prisoner, One Bed, One Mattress' program is successful.
“Prisons should not be hell. It should be a place of reforms and rehabilitation. Most of the inmates are young people and we look forward to you leaving prisons, reformed appropriately, so that you participate in nation-building,” Kindiki added,” Kindiki noted.
In January 2023, Retired Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga was sworn-in as the Chairperson of the task force mandated to review the terms and conditions of police officers after an appointment by President William Ruto.
Maraga stated that the task force would incorporate the input of the public through a public participation process that would inform their final recommendations to President William Ruto.
