The Interior Chief Administrative Secretary Winnie Guchu assured inmates at the Kiambu Prison that the Ministry is working to improve their welfare and that of inmates in other prisons countrywide.
The CAS made these remarks when she visited the Kiambu Prison to deliver a donation of provisions. She told the inmates that the Ministry through their Rapid Response program was prioritizing getting prisoners essential supplies before addressing other areas of their welfare.
“CS Matiangi launched the Rapid Response last week and directed that all inmates be issued with mattresses, blankets and uniforms,” CAS Guchu said in her remarks.
Emphasizing on the need for those items, Guchu told the inmates that it was the government’s responsibility to provide for the basic needs of prisoners so as to enable them live healthy while going through their sentences.
She also thanked other partners who supported the program, complimenting efforts by the Ministry of Interior by donating uniforms and beddings among other supplies that the inmates need.
“As soon as well-wishers found out that we had launched this program, they came out to assist us. The Ministry of Sports for instance have donated 2000 mattresses to be distributed to various prisons in the country,” she said.
She also thanked the African Inland Church that had donated soap, tissue, sanitizers and other basic items.
The Senior Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Florence Omundi. who was present at the function, also thanked well-wishers who donated essentials needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in prisons.
“I’d like to thank our partners who stood with us during the Covid period as they provided us with many items including sanitizers, clothes, books and building materials for our institutions,” she said.
She also thanked Faraja, a non-governmental institution that works with prisons in helping to reintegrate ex-convicts into the society.
The Officer In charge of Kiambu Prisons ACP, David Ndumu, on his part noted that the provisions would go a long way in making the lives of inmates easier.
He also called on the ministry to facilitate Kiambu prison to put up more structures to house the high number of inmates and remandees held at the facility.
“We have about 500 inmates at Kiambu prison. We call for your intervention to create adequate space for our inmates so that we manage them properly with ease,” he said.
By Duncan Mutwiri
