The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
President William Ruto has pledged that the government will prioritize improving the welfare of prison officers, whom he says have endured decades of neglect.
The President said his administration is rolling out significant reforms aimed at improving salaries, healthcare access, and housing conditions for correctional officers, with the goal of making the service a better working environment overall.
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In a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday during the 27th Passing-Out Parade for Kenya Prisons Service Cadets at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Ruto revealed that officers’ salaries have already been raised through Phases I and II of recent salary reviews.
He noted that following those two phases, entry-level pay for a prison constable rose by more than 36 percent, while the top end of the salary scale increased by roughly 24 percent. He added that Phase III of the salary review took effect on July 1, 2026, further underscoring the government’s commitment to the welfare and motivation of correctional officers.
To improve access to healthcare, the President said prison officers have now been enrolled under the Usalama Cover, a scheme run through the Social Health Authority (SHA). As part of this push, Kindiki, on the President’s behalf, officially opened the 150-bed Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Referral Hospital located at the Prisons Staff Training College. The facility will serve officers, their families, inmates, and surrounding communities.
On mobility, the President said 41 vehicles have been acquired under Phase VII of the Government Motor Vehicle Leasing Programme to strengthen the service’s operational fleet, with plans to invest further in electric vehicles going forward.
Ruto emphasized that the growing complexity of crime driven by advanced technology requires a correctional service that stays ahead of emerging threats to remain effective. He noted that challenges such as radicalisation, organised crime, cybercrime, and trafficking demand new knowledge, capabilities, and tools, warning that a correctional service that fails to modernise risks falling behind the very threats it is meant to contain.
He said the government remains committed to investing in the modernisation of the Kenya Prisons Service, stressing that officers cannot be expected to run a modern correctional system while working with outdated equipment, poor infrastructure, and difficult living conditions.
The President also called on officers to uphold high standards of professionalism and integrity in their work, reminding them that while a prison sentence strips away liberty, it does not strip away human dignity. He urged them to remain firm without being cruel, vigilant without becoming abusive, disciplined without becoming indifferent, and authoritative without becoming arbitrary.
