STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS TO ENHANCE FOOD PRODUCTION
By Nicholas Kigondu
The State Department for Correctional Services has enhanced agricultural collaboration as part of deliberate efforts to support Kenya’s food security under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
According to Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco, the initiative is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency through the mechanization and modernization of prison industries and farms.
The efforts, which include potato propagation and farming, have seen the department adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach by harnessing the capacity of partners to embrace modern agricultural equipment, irrigation systems, and automated manufacturing technologies aimed at driving food security and climate resilience.
Speaking at the Nyandarua GK Prison during presentation of soil analysis results, the Principal Secretary said the potato seed production project at the facility is intended to propagate high-quality certified seed potatoes for distribution to farmers and other prison farms, thereby supporting the broader government agenda on food security. She noted that quality-certified potato seeds are critical to increasing agricultural productivity through higher yields, improved disease resistance, and enhanced resilience, all of which contribute to long-term sustainability in agriculture.
“Through strong partnerships with allies such as JKUAT, JICA, CIP, and KePHIS, Nyandarua Prison has become a model of how correctional institutions can contribute to national food security and agricultural development. Soil analysis results will enable more efficient farming, increased yields, and sustainable land use,” observed the Principal Secretary.
While reaffirming the Kenya Prisons Service’s commitment to supporting offenders in their reformation journey, Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh urged inmates to take full advantage of rehabilitation programmes to equip themselves with skills and knowledge that will ease their reintegration into society. Acting Probation and Aftercare Service Secretary Shadrack Kavutai assured inmates that the Probation and Aftercare Service remains committed to linking reformed offenders with society through available reintegration programmes.
The event was attended by officials from partner institutions supporting the potato seed production project, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the International Potato Center (CIP), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KePHIS), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).