A report tabled before a parliamentary committee has revealed inequalities in ethnic representation in the Kenya Prison Service.
The composition of uniformed officers shows that Kalenjin has the highest number at 5,723 followed by Kikuyu at 5,335, Kamba is the third largest at 3,278 with Luyha having 2,891. Kisii has 2, 536 uniformed officers whereas Luo has 2, 684.
In what appeared to be a trend, in the last three recruitments in 2019, 2020, and 2022, close 7, 161 officers who were enlisted were from Kalenjin, Kikuyu, and Kamba communities.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki who tabled the report before the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee on the employment opportunities and reforms in Kenya Prisons, admitted the imbalances assuring that in the upcoming recruitment inclusivity will be paramount.
“We will have the populous communities get more positions and at the same ensure that minority groups are also allocated slots than getting zero,” he said.
Ethnicities with the lowest representation are Orma (75), Rendile (62), Taveta (39) and Dorobo (27),Elmolo (3), Kenya European (1) and Kenya Arab (1).
Kindiki admitted to deficiencies in the recruitment process for senior-ranking prison officers in the country.
Speaking Thursday when he appeared before the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Kindiki voiced his concerns over the outsourcing of senior officers.
He noted that ‘flawed’ processes negatively impact the morale of career officers who aspire to reach the highest echelons of the organization.
The Kenya Prisons is under the leadership of Brigadier (Rtd) John Kibaso Warioba, a former military officer.
Kindiki emphasized the need to review the current hiring process so that individuals with a background in prison service are considered for the highest positions within the correctional services.
“We have been unable to ensure we professionalize the prison service and make it at par such that its leadership is drawn from within and it is almost predetermined that an officer can rise and get to the position,” he said.
To address these concerns, Kindiki disclosed that the government is crafting a concrete roadmap and matrix to streamline career progression and succession management in the Kenya Prisons Service and other uniformed security agencies.
Kindiki, underscored that this initiative aims to create opportunities for young officers to ascend to management positions through a well-defined and transparent process.
He added that the road map will eliminate cases of corruption, favouritism, and patronage.
The CS disclosed that the service currently employs 23,878 male officers and 7,349 female officers, totaling 31,227 officers adding that the government is actively working on strategies to address the existing gap in personnel.
“We have taken a policy position to correct this mess. I have already engaged the Principal Secretary responsible and the commissioner General of prisons to make sure that the gap is addressed,” he said.
He added that Kenya Prisons Service staff represent the diversity of the people of Kenya, and there is no discrimination in employment.
Kindiki stated that no ethnic community represents more than one-third of the uniformed staff population.
In furthering equity in the recruitment of Prisons officers, Kindiki said the State Department for Correctional Services will continue to sensitise communities across the country to apply for positions whenever they are advertised and participate in recruitment of officers at the Sub-County level.
The Interior CS appealed to the citizens to provide information on officers who demand and / or receive bribes for immediate action in accordance with the law.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary also called upon citizens to report any instances of officers demanding or receiving bribes for action.
He underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to combating corruption.
“Corruption is a vice that must be dealt with firmly, decisively and ruthlessly,” he asserted. BY CAPITAL NEWS