Prisoners to work in Kirinyaga projects under new partnership

The Kirinyaga government has partnered with the national government to decongest prisons through community service.

The collaboration with the State Department for Correctional Services allows convicts to work in public projects.

The programme is meant to give prisoners the chance to be reintegrated  while offering community service.

Already, the programme is being undertaken at Kerugoya and Mwea prisons where the county government is facilitating the tarmacking of their premises.

On Wednesday, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Salome Muhia and Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh toured the two facilities to inspect progress.

The PS said the partnership will also help enhance food production while reducing crowding in prisons.

Muhia lauded the county government for its active role in improving prison facilities.

“The county has been instrumental in upgrading the prisons and maintaining cleanliness in the area,” she said.

She highlighted ongoing efforts to boost agricultural production within the prisons in line with the Kenya Kwanza's objective of scaling up food production and increasing revenue.

“In Kerugoya prison, we have expanded orchards for fruit farming, initiated fish farming and enhanced coffee farming," the PS said.

"Our prisons are also involved in producing furniture, metal works like gates, doors, and window frames, all aimed at increasing industrial output.”

With support from the Chandaria Foundation, inmates have been receiving valuable training and certification, empowering them to support themselves and their families after release.

The foundation has established a bakery in Kerugoya prison, providing inmates with the opportunity to train and earn an income.

She appealed to members of the public to support efforts to rehabilitate offenders by purchasing products from prisons.

She said legal reform is underway to enable inmates earn a stipend during their incarceration, providing them with the financial capital needed to start afresh once they complete their jail terms.

“This partnership between Kirinyaga county and the National Government reflects a shared commitment to addressing systemic challenges within the justice system and fostering a more unified approach to governance,” she said

Kirinyaga Deputy Governor David Githanda underscored the importance of the partnership for community service.

One of the initiatives that will benefit from the partnership is Wezesha Kirinyaga economic empowerment programme started by the county to empower community groups in engaging in agricultural activities.

“We identified several areas where we can assist especially in agriculture. The Wezesha program in Kirinyaga is well advanced, and many of its components can be integrated into this partnership,” Githanda said.

The programme, he added, offers a constructive alternative for petty offenders and gives them an opportunity to contribute positively to society.

“By working in public spaces like markets, the offenders will easily be integrated back into the community and the congestion in prisons eased".