OFFICERS URGED TO EMBRACE TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP
By Martha Munyambu
The State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Ms. Salome Beacco has urged the officers working at the State Department to adopt transformative leadership for improved service delivery and achieve the department's mandate.
She was speaking during a meeting with the Directors, Prison Regional Commanders, Officers in charge and Probation officers at Prison Staff Training College- Ruiru on 28th August 2023.
"I encourage all of us to be on top of the game and lead from the front and think of what legacy you will leave behind", said the PS.
Ms. Beacco challenged the officers to be transformative and visionary leaders in whatever capacity they are serving in to transform Correctional Services. She further urged the officers to focus on loyalty, integrity and a positive attitude, saying that all officers must be accountable for the commitments they made while taking the oath of office.
"I urge you to be transformational leaders in your areas of jurisdiction, do not confuse leadership with the occupation of office. Leadership is about service", said the PS.
The PS underscored the fact that the Department has a big role to play in actualizing His Excellency the President’s Vision as is espoused in the Bottom-UP Transformation Agenda (BETA). On food security, the PS noted that the correctional facilities have large tracts of arable land that can be put to full use to enhance agricultural productivity.
Speaking on affordable housing she pointed out that she is working with the PS Housing through the one government approach to see how the current staff housing problem can be addressed.
She added that she is in talks with the PS to tap into the skills harboured by the inmates and engage them in the construction of the affordable houses for the Prison Officers.
The PS observed that Prison industries produce quality furniture and observed that the Department has embarked on revitalizing and modernizing the Prison industries to be able to manufacture products that will satisfy the ever-changing market demands.
To contribute to combating the adverse effects of climate change and increasing forest cover, she encouraged the officers to go above and beyond the call of duty by planting 100 billion trees in the correctional facilities across the country.
"I, therefore, call upon all institutional managers present here to ensure that we meet our yearly target", she urged the officers.
She announced plans by the Department to hold a Correctional Service Week from the 22nd - to 24th November, 2023 at KICC. The event will culminate into an Awards Gala Dinner to reward the best performing Correctional Officers. She urged the officers to embrace creativity, innovation and showcase their talents as they endeavour to enhance service delivery.
She also stated that the Department will consider holding the Correctional Service Week annually.