Prison Department officers who are approaching retirement age have been advised to take terminal leave to prepare for exit from public service.
Kenya Prisons Services Commissioner General retired Brigadier John Warioba wondered why officers who have served for decades and are headed for retirement don’t want to go on a 90-day terminal leave which is normally fully paid by government.
Speaking during a farewell party in honour of retirees at Prisons headquarters’ Magereza House, Warioba told the officers that terminal leave helps in preparing for transition from active service to private life.
“90 days’ fully-paid terminal leave for officers prior to retirement is a great idea, but officers don’t want to go, why?” Warioba posed.
“Those who are about to retire, go for terminal leave; I don’t see why people don’t want to go for terminal leave.”
Warioba also took the time to shower accolades to the retiree officers saying they contributed much to reforms at the Service, while also urging them to embrace their families.
Senior Seargent Walter Nungo, a retiree who served at the Directorate of Gender, took issue with health insurance plan NHIF, which cannot serve them in retirement, asking Prisons management to come up with an alternative health insurance scheme for retirees.
The Commissioner General said he wished there was such scheme in place, as in the army, but advised that they could decide to continue contributing to NHIF to be on the safe side.
Mary Khaemba, a retiree who served in welfare, told the officers to listen to themselves and come up with ideas and activities that can make them better as they get reintegrated back into society to remain relevant.
“Retirement can be rewarding or boring depending on your mindset. What is it you want to do? Order your life and make the right choices.” Mrs. Khaemba said.
Francis Makathimo, Chairman of Kenya Prison Retired Officers Association (Keproa) urged the retirees to join the outfit, which is patronized by the Commissioner General, to make it strong and remain relevant in society.
Also present at the ceremony was Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons Florence Omundi, among other top officials.