Plan to release 8,000 in bid to decongest prisons

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced plans by the government to seek for alternative correctional programmes as part of plans to decongest prisons.

Mr. Kenyatta revealed that the government is currently processing about 8,000 prisoners to have them serve their sentences in a variety of ways to help reduce the number of people currently incarcerated.

At the same time, he directed the prisons department to launch income generating activities to help the government address the revenue challenge facing the country.

Speaking at the Ruiru Prisons Training College during the passing out parade, the Head of State acknowledged that the government is facing a huge resource challenge noting that every opportunity must be explored.

“I ask the department to tap their revenue potential, so that we can avoid over-reliance on the exchequer. Our prisons ought to establish income generating activities and programs, not least because they will help rehabilitate prisoners once their terms are up,” said the president.

He said prisons in particular, face particular challenges due to the increasing number of prisoners and must review their operations and establish income generating programmes.

Mr. Kenyatta says once prisons start the projects, the correctional facilities will stop depending on the exchequer.

He observed that investing more in the prisons and other security agencies will make Kenya more secure and attract investments that will support the achievement of the Big Four plan which include manufacturing, universal healthcare, affordable housing, and food security.