CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PS LEADS STAFF IN PLANTING TREES AT KAJIADO GK PRISON

By Martha Munyambu

State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco on Thursday led staff from the department in planting over 2,000 seedlings at the Kajiado GK Prison.

The exercise, which witnessed the planting of a variety of indigenous tree species, was part of the monthly tree planting campaign launched by the Principal Secretary earlier this year.

According to the PS, the initiative demonstrates the State Department's commitment to combating climate change and restore the Country's natural ecosystem, under the Greening Kenya Initiative, and aligns with the President's national agenda for landscape restoration.

Addressing staff at both the Kajiado main and women prisons, the PS urged the officers to uphold the highest standards and dedicate their efforts to work for the common good even as she pledged to address challenges facing those working in correctional services.

She said the department has initiated a host of reforms including policy and legal reforms as well as digitalization aimed at fully transforming the country’s correctional system as it transitions from punitive to one that is more focused on reformation and re-integration of offenders.

  Regarding healthcare, the Principal Secretary requested officers to fully embrace and support the President's agenda on the National Social Health Authority (SHA), emphasizing the importance of equity in access to quality healthcare including for those incarcerated.

She was accompanied by staff from the department including the Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh.