By OLIVER MUSEMBI
The Government is keen on improving the welfare of prison officers who have suffered decades of neglect, President William Ruto has said.
He said his administration is rolling out measures aimed at improving salaries, providing better healthcare and constructing dignified housing in a bid to make the correctional service a better workplace for officers.
“The Government has continued to invest in the modernisation of the Kenya Prisons Service. We cannot demand a modern correctional service from officers working with outdated tools, inadequate infrastructure and difficult living conditions,” the President said.
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday, August 24, 2026, during the 27th Pass-Out Parade for Kenya Prisons Service cadets at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Ruto said prison officers had already benefited from the first two phases of recent salary reviews.
“Following Phase I and II of the salary review, entry-level remuneration for a prison constable rose by more than 36 per cent, while the maximum point on the salary scale increased by approximately 24 per cent. Phase III took effect on July 1, 2026, further demonstrating our commitment to the welfare and motivation of our correctional officers,” he said.
On healthcare, the President said prison officers had been enrolled under the Usalama Cover provided through the Social Health Authority (SHA), giving them access to improved medical services.
Further expanding healthcare access, Kindiki, on behalf of the President, officially opened the 150-bed Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Referral Hospital at the Prisons Staff Training College.
The facility will serve prison officers, their families, inmates and residents of surrounding communities.
The Prisons Service is also set to benefit from 28,000 housing units under the Affordable Housing Programme, including 9,000 units to be procured through public-private partnerships.
On mobility, Ruto said 41 vehicles had been acquired for the Prisons Service under Phase VII of the Government Motor Vehicle Leasing Programme to expand its operational fleet.
He said further investment in electric vehicles would follow as the Government modernises the service.
At the same time, Ruto urged the Prisons Service to accelerate the adoption of modern technology to keep pace with the changing demands of correctional services in an increasingly sophisticated world.
He said emerging security threats and advances in technology required a correctional service capable of anticipating and responding to new challenges.
“Radicalisation, organised crime, cybercrime and trafficking demand new knowledge, new capabilities and new tools. A correctional service that does not modernise cannot keep pace with the threats it exists to contain,” he said.
Ruto said the Government was deliberately investing in modernising the Prisons Service and urged officers to continuously enhance their skills and embrace new technologies.
He also challenged the officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in their service to the nation.
“A prison sentence takes away liberty. It does not take away human dignity. You must therefore be firm without being cruel; vigilant without becoming abusive; disciplined without becoming indifferent; and authoritative without becoming arbitrary,” Ruto said.
