Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Muhia Beacco has lauded Kaaga Girls High School board of management for donating bedding to Meru GK Prison in a move meant to restore dignity to the male inmates.
Speaking at the Meru GK Prison, Dr. Beacco said they received donations of bedding including 180 mattresses, 180 blanket and 180 beds terming the gesture historical since male prisoners have never enjoyed such facilities.
The PS said it is the first time such a thing happened following the establishment of the correctional centres in 1911.
“Since 1911, male prisoners have had no bedding. Today you have wiped the tears of 180 male prisoners in this institution. Don’t think that what you have done is not important. We applaud you for donating 180 beds, 180 mattresses, and 180 blankets to inmates Every little thing you do on a daily basis is very important. That is why today the learners came and donated the bedding to the male inmates at Meru GK Prison,” said the PS
She said triple decker project was started last year due to limited space in the correctional facilities noting that every year they always start a new project.
The Principal Secretary revealed that Kenya’s correctional facilities are currently housing approximately 64,000 inmate with male prisons facing beds and bedding shortage.
She said the government is implementing reforms aimed at making prisons more humane by improving accommodation facilities, providing quality beds and bedding, upgrading sanitation infrastructure, and creating a dignified environment for both inmates and prison officers.
”We have about 64, 000 inmates, approximately 61,000 probation and after care inmates which is a big number.
The male section was established in 1911 and since then we have had no bedding for men. It is very saddening. They have been abandoned for long now. We are the foot solders of President William Ruto and we will serve diligently,” said Dr. Beacco
She promised to improve the correctional facilities with a new project every year insisting that they want to emulate and improve the prisons just like the learning institution in the education sector.
The PS called on all the stakeholders to unite and work harmoniously in a bid to ensure that the country progress seamlessly.
”We shall ensure every prison guide as a decent house. All the ongoing projects are meant to restore dignity to both inmates and prison officers when on duty,” she said.
She called on Kenyans to support and Reelect President Ruto government in the 2027 election in a bid to enable it complete the projects they have already initiated.
Dr. Beacco pledged to modernize all the correctional facilities noting that they have done a lot of work in the last three to four years.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done. It can only be done if you give us a chance. Any good work is done in a span of between five to 10 years.That is why strategic plans are for period of either five or 10 years. We humbly request you to give us another chance to improve our work and restore everyone dignity. We need to modernize our correctional facilities. Our goal is to get to Singapore,” said Dr. Beacco.
Kaaga Girls Senior School Chief Principal Eunice Maeke said they decided to donate the beds after the Ministry of Education directed schools to phase out wooden beds from dormitories in a bid to improve safety measures meant to contain school fire incidents in Kenya.
“We decided to donate to Meru GK Prison instead of disposing them. The school donated as part of Community Social Responsibility,” said the Chief Principal.
Maeke said the school is committed to nurturing students and embracing compassion, service to humanity, and social responsibility.
She said education should not only focus on academic excellence but also on producing responsible citizens who care for the welfare of others.
Director of Enterprise at the Kenya Prisons Service Charles Mutembei said the donation from Kaaga Girls Senior School highlights the importance of partnerships between government institutions and the wider society in improving correctional services.
