Government to prioritise decongesting prisons, Interior CS Kindiki says
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced government’s plans to improve the general welfare of prisoners including their living conditions.
Even as the governments aims to decongest the penal institutions, prisoners will also be provided with individual bed, a mattress and a blanket.
Speaking in Mwea Main Prison today during an official visit, the CS described the current condition of inmates as pathetic.
Kindiki said that the government taskforce headed by former Chief Justice David Maraga has completed its work and will be handing over its report to the ministry for action.
The CS said that the government is also embarking on an initiative to decongest the prisons by 50 per cent saying that as it is, prisons are double their capacity, exhausting even the officers manning them.
Kindiki said the new collection services policy which will modernise probation and aftercare services is ready and waiting for cabinet approval.
On the thorny issues of decongesting prisons program, he said his ministry is in agreement with the Chief Justice to review the prison act cup 90-95 to make it relevant to fit the 21st century.
The minister insisted to Kenyans apply alternatives despite the resolution on petty crimes to assist in prison decongestion with over 50 percent.
He directed all prisons across the country to embark on tree-planting projects where to combat climate change where 30 percent of prison land should be covered with trees.
