PRESIDENT RUTO PRESIDES OVER PRISONS RECRUITS PASS-OUT PARADE IN RUIRU
By Nicholas Kigondu
President William Ruto says his administration has made deliberate efforts to build a professional and well-motivated correctional service through targeted and comprehensive reforms.
Speaking as he presided over the 46th Kenya Prisons Service Pass-Out Parade at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, the President said his administration is fully committed to supporting and providing the necessary resources to strengthen welfare, uplift morale, and enhance professionalism of the country’s disciplined services.
Among the reforms include the improvement of security officers’ welfare and working conditions.
“We have raised salaries for officers at entry level by 36 per cent and 24 per cent at the maximum scale since 2024 under phases I and II as recommended by the Maraga taskforce which I appointed. Phase III of the salary review will take effect on 1st July 2026.” Observed the President.
To address the housing challenge among prison officers, the government is building 28,000 institutional housing units, 30 per cent of which are already underway.
Additionally, the government has enhanced access to healthcare for inmates, with registration of prisoners under the Social Health Authority standing at 56 per cent with all inmates across the country set to be registered. The medical cover is being reinforced by the Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Hospital which has boosted the provision of healthcare services.
Kenya Prisons Service staff are also guaranteed access to quality healthcare services across the country through the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
To further improve the country’s correctional system, the President announced that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration is fast-tracking the finalization of the Correctional Services Bill and Policy with the process on course for Cabinet consideration by April this year.
This even as he lauded the State Department for Correctional Services for its conservation efforts as the country plans to plant and grow 800 million trees this year.
“In support of the national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, the Service has already planted over 6.8 million trees. An additional 1.87 million mature seedlings are ready for transplanting in 76 departmental tree nurseries. The institutionalization of tree planting every fourth Thursday of the month further demonstrates your commendable commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.” Noted the President.
Speaking at the ceremony, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen urged the newly graduated officers to remain disciplined and patriotic.
The 3,860 recruits who graduated today joined the Kenya Prisons Staff Training in April last year and have undergone intensive training tailored to equip them with requisite skills to deal with modern demands of corrections work. They include 342 technicians, who are experts in various fields with 36 cadets set to graduate later in the year after finalizing their 13-month long intensive training.
Among those present during Thursday’s ceremony included Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco and Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh.