GOVERNMENT TO FAST-TRACK CONSTRUCTION OF INSTITUTIONAL HOUSES FOR UNIFORMED OFFICERS

By Nicholas Kigondu

The government has prioritized addressing longstanding accommodation challenges within correctional facilities by fast-tracking the construction of adequate housing units for officers drawn from the State Department for Correctional Services.

Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco says improving living conditions for correctional officers is a key priority for the government, as it directly contributes to national security and enhanced service delivery within correctional institutions.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the department’s standing committee on housing, the PS said the plan will be actualized through the affordable housing programme as well as through Public-Private partnership models that will also seek to transform correctional facilities into modern penitentiary institutions.

While acknowledging the housing challenge within correctional facilities, the PS said the department is working with other government agencies including the department of Housing and Urban Development, National treasury, public works, Kenya Defense forces and the directorate of public-private partnership to actualize the plan.

According to the PS, the plan will be modeled around the Kenya Defense Forces housing scheme and will supplement the government’s development of institutional housing units for the Correctional Services, where construction of 30 per cent of the targeted 28,000 units are already underway.