In a decisive move to modernize the country’s correctional infrastructure, President William Ruto has announced major government reforms aimed at boosting the welfare, working conditions, and professional standards of the Kenya Prisons Service.
Speaking through Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the 27th pass-out parade of new prison officers at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County, the President acknowledged that correctional officers have endured years of neglect and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming their livelihoods.
A cornerstone of these ongoing reforms is a significant salary review structure designed to motivate the workforce and bolster the penal system.
The first two phases of the review saw starting pay for prison constables rise by over 36 percent, with the top of the pay scale increasing by nearly 24 percent, while Phase III officially took effect on July 1, 2026.
Beyond remuneration, the government has enrolled officers in the ‘Usalama Cover’ health insurance plan under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to drastically improve access to medical care.
Highlighting this health initiative, Deputy President Kindiki officially commissioned the newly built, 150-bed Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Referral Hospital at the training college, a specialized facility set to serve officers, their families, inmates, and surrounding local communities.
Housing and operational mobility are also receiving substantial attention under the new welfare framework. The Kenya Prisons Service is slated to receive 28,000 housing units under the Affordable Housing Program, 9,000 of which will be delivered through Public-Private Partnerships.
To strengthen transport capacity, 41 vehicles have already been dispatched to the service under Phase VII of the Government Vehicle Leasing Program, with future plans to integrate electric vehicles into the fleet.
President Ruto stressed that welfare enhancements must go hand-in-hand with technological modernization to empower officers against emerging crime trends such as radicalization, organized crime, cybercrime, and human trafficking.
Calling for accelerated adoption of modern tools and skills, he noted that a service operating with outdated equipment and inadequate infrastructure cannot effectively handle sophisticated security threats.
The President urged the newly graduated officers to maintain professionalism, discipline and respect for human dignity. He reminded them that although prisoners lose their freedom, they do not lose their basic human rights.
He encouraged the officers to be firm but compassionate, disciplined but not abusive, and to exercise their authority fairly and responsibly.
