Collaboration
The Kirinyaga County Government will work with the National Government through the Department of Correctional Services to help in decongesting prisons facilities in the area.
This was highlighted during a visit by the Correctional Services PS Dr. Salome Muhia- Beacco and Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh, where they inspected the ongoing projects at Kerugoya Probation Center, Kerugoya Prisons and Mwea GK Prisons in Kirinyaga county.
Decongesting the prisons is one of strategic efforts that will transform the country’s correctional system into one that reflects the highest standards of justice and human dignity. The collaboration is a boost as the judiciary is already placing more emphasis on restorative justice by promoting victim-offender rehabilitation, so as to facilitate re-integration of offenders into the society.
Consequently, this move will allow offenders through the Community Service Orders (CSO) program to engage in public work across various county facilities including hospitals and markets, thus end up benefiting the community, while still serving their sentences.
Correctional Services PS Dr. Salome Muhia-Beacco receives donation from the Kirinyaga County to the prison department, accompanied by Commissioner of Prisons Patrick Aranduh and the Kirinyaga deputy governor David Githanda.
Additionally, the PS noted that with Kirinyaga being an agricultural county, the ongoing efforts to expand agricultural production within the prison system, were in line with President William Ruto’s directive to scale up food production and increase revenue.
“In Kerugoya prison, we have expanded orchards for fruit farming, initiated fish farming, and enhanced coffee farming. Our prisons are also involved in producing furniture, metal works like gates, doors and window frames, all aimed at increasing industrial output,” she said.
Beacco highlighted that through support from the private partners like Chandaria Foundation, inmates receive valuable training and certification, with a view to empowering them to support themselves and their families after their release.
“The Chandaria Foundation has established a bakery within the prison, providing inmates with the opportunity to train and earn an income, while incarcerated. This initiative not only enables them to educate their children, while still in prison, but also equips them with skills for their future. I urge the public to support our rehabilitation efforts by purchasing these products, as it plays a vital role in the inmates’ reintegration into society,” she said.
The PS said a new legal reform was underway that will enable inmates to earn a stipend during their incarceration, providing them with the financial capital needed to start afresh once they are rehabilitated.
“This partnership between Kirinyaga County and the National Government reflects a shared commitment to addressing systemic challenges within the justice system and fostering a more unified approach to governance,” she added. Kirinyaga County Deputy Governor David Githanda, who represented Governor Anne Waiguru, underscored the importance of collaboration in community service.
Correctional Services PS Dr. Salome Muhia-Beacco arrives at Kerugoya Prisons.
“We identified several areas where we can assist, especially in agriculture. The Wezesha program in Kirinyaga is well advanced, and many of its components can be integrated into this partnership,” Githanda said.
The deputy governor further emphasized the benefits of the CSO program, noting that it offers a constructive alternative for petty offenders, adding that the county government had donated toiletries among them soaps and tissue papers to help improve hygiene in the two prison facilities.
“We can ensure that these offenders contribute positively to society by working in public spaces like markets. This not only helps them reintegrate into the community, but also eases congestion in our prisons,” Githanda added.
Meanwhile, the Kerugoya prisons facility has already benefited from this collaboration, with the County Government being responsible for tarmacking the facility.