Matiang’i cites increasing threat of radicalization in Kenyan prison

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has raised concern over the increasing threat of radicalization in Kenyan prisons.

Matiang’i expressed concern over what he termed an emerging calibre of inmates, particularly those involved in violent extremism, citing an imminent security threat within the prisons.

In a speech read by Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, Matiang’i said countries need to come up with measures to curb radicalization within the prison systems.

Mucheru was making the statements during the regional workshop on prison infrastructure.

“One major challenge facing our prisons is infrastructure both in terms of quality and quantity. Overcrowding in prisons remains a big challenge for many states the world over, Kenya included,” Matiang’i said.

The Interior CS pointed out that the major challenge facing prisons is infrastructure both in terms of quality and quantity.

He pointed out that overcrowding in prisons remains a big challenge for countries across the globe including Kenya.

“One way of dealing with this problem is by stakeholders working together to minimize the number of offenders who end up in prison through the use of alternatives to imprisonment,” he said.

He further urged the administration officials in prisons to beware of what he termed as “unintended impacts of new technology aimed at improving services and conditions of incarceration.

This according to the CS will ensure that inmates do not use the internet to further their criminal activities while serving their sentences.

Matiangi reiterate the commitment of Kenya as a member of ACSA, which he said plays a critical role as a peer review mechanism among Correctional Services in Africa.

He noted that the government is committed to supporting prison facilities across the country in all areas.

This includes rehabilitation programmes, capacity building and infrastructure development.