Prisons officer reinstated after intervention by Ombudsman
Nyangau approached CAJ after his efforts to appeal against his sacking at the Public Service Commission proved not futile
A prison warder who was sacked over desertion has been reinstated following the intervention by the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also referred to as the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman announced the reinstatement of Edwin Ochengo Nyangau, revealing he has been posted to Homa Bay.
“I’m happy to inform you that I was reinstated to the service and posted to Homa Bay,” Ochengo told the Ombudsman.
CAJ stated that the Prison Officer approached them after his efforts to appeal against his sacking at the Public Service Commission (PSC) proved not futile.
Ochengo had been sacked in July 2023 over desertion, but he appealed to the PSC but there were prolonged delays in receiving updates about his case.
“I have repeatedly visited the PSC to enquire about the status of my appeal, only to be informed that they are yet to receive the appeal letter from the Prisons Department headquarters, a process that has taken over four months,” the Warder told the Ombudsman when launching his complaint to them.
It was then that the Ombudsman took over the matter and launched an inquiry through the Commissioner General of Prisons.
It, too, did not receive a reply from Kenya Prisons Service even after sending three reminders.
With no reply forthcoming, the Ombudsman indicated that they reminded the Service, through a notice to show cause under sections 2 and 26 and Regulations 17 and 18 of the Commission on Administrative Justice.
The Prisons Commissioner then responded, indicating that Ochengo had been reinstated.
“The appeal of the officer was processed and duly submitted to the PSC. The Commission considered the appeal favourably and communicated the decision to reinstate the officer who has since been restored to Service,” the Prison Commissioner General told the Ombudsman.
“The Officer was communicated to and posted to Homa Bay Prisons for duties. He reported for duty and was confirmed by the Officer in Charge,” the Commissioner added.
