FOURTH CORRECTIONAL SERVICE WEEK CLOSES AMID CALLS FOR MORE INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND GREEN SOLUTIONS
By Nicholas Kigondu
The Correctional Service Week 2026 closed on Thursday amid renewed optimism that the State Department for Correctional Services will realize mainstreaming of sustainable, resource efficient and climate resilient practices in the operations of the country’s correctional system.
Speaking on Thursday during the closing ceremony of the fourth Correctional Services Week at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called for greater investment in skills development and rehabilitation programmes for offenders, saying correctional services can contribute to employment creation, economic growth and safer communities.
Mudavadi said rehabilitation should focus on addressing the causes of offending and preparing inmates to return to society as responsible citizens.
“At the heart of everything we do lies a deeper purpose: facilitating genuine change in human lives,” he said.
“Effective correctional services address the root causes of offending, reduce reoffending and prepare people to return as responsible members of society.” he added.
His remarks place rehabilitation within the broader economic transformation agenda, which seeks to expand opportunities and improve livelihoods across different sections of society.
State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco emphasized that as they appreciate digital transformation, Kenyans must recognize that smart correctional governance is more than acquiring technology. It is about restoring human dignity through innovation.
She said it calls for the capacity to adopt, adapt and effectively utilize appropriate innovations; to upgrade professional skills; to reduce administrative drudgery and fatigue; and to unleash creativity.
“Our objective remains: to leverage ICT to strengthen records management, accountability, operational efficiency and evidence-informed decision-making.” She said.
On environmental sustainability, the Principal Secretary reaffirmed the department’s commitment to transitioning all correctional facilities to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other clean energy solutions as part of the Government’s green agenda.
“This is not just an environmental imperative; it is a health, economic, and human rights imperative. We invite development partners, the private sector and relevant government agencies to support this transition through appropriate technologies, financing and technical expertise.” She noted.
Speaking at the same forum, Petroleum Principal Secretary Kello Harsama said it was imperative for the country’s correctional system to embrace green solutions adding that his department is collaborating on a joint initiative to transition all Kenya Prisons Service and probation facilities from wood fuel to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and clean energy.
Others present at the closing ceremony of the Correctional Services Week 2026 included Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh, Probation and Aftercare Service Secretary Shadrack Kavutai, local and international partners as well as officers drawn from the State Department for Correctional Services.