By Monica Omoro

Picture Caption-Left to Right: The First Lady of Kenya, H.E Rachel Ruto, EGH looks at a Baby DURING THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT LANGÁTA MAXIMUM Security Women Prison 8TH MARCH 2023 during her tour of the facility as the child’s Mothers, looks on. Next to Her is the Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Ms Mary Muthoni Muriuki,  HSC and the Deputy Commissioner General of Prison , Florence Omundi, EBS, and Nominated Senator, Gloria Orwoba,. Behind is the Deputy Officer in charge of the Prison, Everline Kaliti

The State Department for Correctional Services, within the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, is set to launch an ambitious campaign dubbed ‘one prisoner, one bed, one mattress ‘countrywide to improve the conditions in prisons.

The department on Wednesday issued an appeal for 60,000 beds and mattresses to support the campaign.

Ministry of Interior-State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki HSC said the campaign will seek to recalibrate the department’s operations to an institution that reforms inmates.

“When somebody is sentenced and is contained in those four walls, you must realize that is the biggest punishment that you can ever give a human being. Our mandate is to correct,” PS Muthoni said.

She was speaking during the International Women’s Day celebrations at the Langata Women Maximum Security Prison on 8th, March, this year, where she hosted First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, Her Excellency Mama Rachel Ruto , EGH.

“We do not want people sleeping on the floor anymore in this country. If you want to change the world, go back and make your bed,” she said.

PS Muthoni said the department will empower prison-run workshops to make the bed but appealed for donations to bridge the gap.

“We are making our beds and as the Correctional Services Department. How will you even ask them (inmates) to stitch when their ribs are paining because of sleeping on the floor?” the PS posed.

She pointed out that the department is keen on providing care and dignified services to inmates to realize the mandate to correct as opposed to punishing them.

Speaking in line with this year’s theme which is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’ PS Muthoni further disclosed that the Correctional Services ensures that women are empowered especially in the innovation sector.

“We train our inmates both in formal and informal education. The inmates in our correctional facilities are taken through computer courses that instill them with digital skills. For the innovation part, these women are taught different skills ranging from knitting, bakery, beadwork, beauty and hairdressing”.  The PS Said.

International Women's Day is observed in March every year to celebrate women's rights and inspire people to act in the ongoing fight for gender equality.

The United Nations declares the theme for the International Women’s Day on yearly basis and this year’s theme is: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

The United Nations Observance of IWD recognizes and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

This theme is aligned with the priority theme for 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

Caption; Her Excellency, the First Lady Rachel Ruto, EGH with women inmates at the Langata  Women’s Maximum Security Prison during the International Women’s Day 2023 Celebrations  and practically  leads, from the front in the  Cross Stitching exercises. Looking on is the PS Correctional Services Ms Mary Muthoni, HSC