PRISON FARMS AND ENTERPRISES SET FOR REVAMP

By Nicholas Kigondu 
The State Department for Correctional Services has put in place elaborate plans to revamp its Prison farms and enterprises in an effort to ensure sustainability. 
Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco says the latest development is part of ongoing reforms targeting Prison farms and enterprises which is meant to align their operations with the country’s economic development agenda.
Speaking during a meeting with senior officers from the department, who included Prison enterprises Director Charles Mutembei and his Prison farms counterpart Patrick Kariri, the PS said there must be a paradigm shift in the operations of the two entities to increase efficiency and production.
“There is need for a radical shift, complete with a strategic plan, if we are to make the two entities commercially viable,” observed the PS.
Among some of the planned revamp include the Commissioning of the Nyandarua GK prison seed potato production project, development of infrastructure on a 100-acre piece of land at the Naivasha medium prison for seed potato multiplication, upscaling of maize seed production at Ngeria prison, initiation of a poultry farming project at the Kitengela GK prison as well as the commencement of sunflower oil extraction at the Naivasha GK prison.
The Principal Secretary has prioritized mechanization and modernization of Prison farms and industries including digitalization to enhance efficiency.