I WANT US TO SHINE MORE,” NEW CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PS TELLS STAFF
State Department for Correctional Services’ new Principal Secretary Ms. Salome Wairimu Muhia-Beacco has urged the staff to work energetically to guarantee the State Department is shining with positive outcomes.
“I want us to shine. I was informed that you are doing a very good job but I want excellent work,” she told the staff while on her tour at the State Department Headquarters, Telposta Towers, Nairobi.
The PS was sworn in by H.E. the President Dr. William Samoei Ruto on the morning of 4th July 2023 and immediately reported to her duty station.
During her swearing-in along with her Counterpart from the State Department for Performance Management and Delivery Services Ms. Anne Njoki Wangómbe, the President urged them to work closely with their respective Cabinet Secretaries to ensure they deliver on the Government’s agenda and use the resources prudently.
The President further directed that Correctional Services embrace correctional best practices to empower prisoners besides preparing them for productive engagement in the country
“Kenyans expect us to deliver on our promises and make their lives better. You have the requisite knowledge to deliver on this agenda,” the President said.
When she reported at the State Department offices, she was received by the Director Administration Mr. Jonam Kinama who took her around the different offices while introducing her to the staff.
She urged the Staff to work diligently to ensure they deliver as a team.
The PS then proceeded to the Probation and Aftercare Services (PACS) headquarters at Reinsurance Plaza Nairobi where she was received by Secretary PACS Miss Mary Mbau and also met the staff.
The Principal Secretary in her address to staff, appreciated the important role that Probation Service plays in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. She challenged staff not to underrate the work Probation officers perform and encouraged them to keep up the hallmark of excellence in service delivery.
The PS also made her maiden visit to the KPS headquarters at Magereza House on 6th July 2023.Her message to the Prison officers was that they are appreciated and valued for the remarkable work they do to backstop security at the tail end of the Criminal Justice system. She implored upon the Leadership to have unity of purpose in her vision to ameliorate the welfare of the staff and inmates of the Service. Madam Salome emphasized on the importance of teamwork in order to achieve an excellent Service in Africa and beyond with innovative quality products and enhanced Service Delivery. The Commissioner General of Prisons Brig (Rtd) John K. Warioba applauded the PS for making time to visit and acquaint herself with the operations.
She concluded the tour at the Prisons Headquarters with a visit to the Showroom to catch a glimpse of the famous quality products from our Prisons enterprises. The Public are invited to visit ,Purchase and make orders.
During her vetting on 21st June 2023 where she appeared before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, she promised to improve on reforms within the correctional services’ department as a whole by improving on living conditions of the inmates and also the staff.
She promised to use the resources prudently and wisely.
“We must use the resources that we have in hand prudently, effectively, efficiently and transparently,” she said.
She also dedicated herself to ensuring that work plans are developed and implemented by visiting the different correctional facilities to assess and identify the challenges and offer solutions to improve the status.
When reporting to her new office, she was warmly welcomed by the staff who assured her of teamwork and dedication with the aim of improving service delivery to the citizen of Kenya.
The State Department for Correctional Services comprises two technical departments namely Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and Probation and After Care Service (PACS) and is supported by General Administration, planning and Support Services.
KPS deals with custodial management of offenders while PACS deals with the non-custodial.