A government task force has raised fresh concerns about corruption in Kenya’s prison service. Some officers were reportedly found to be working with inmates. Phone scams, fraud and drug trafficking were among the activities cited.
The findings were contained in a report led by former Chief Justice David Maraga. The report was presented to President William Ruto in November 2023. It was made public on Monday after a prolonged wait.
Prison Graft Detailed
The task force was told that corruption had spread across the Kenya Prisons Service. Recruitment was among the areas affected. Promotions, transfers and procurement were also cited.
The report said some prison operations had become like “family affairs”. It was suggested that senior officials were often detached from junior officers. That gap was said to have weakened oversight.
Concerns were also raised over alleged nepotism. The task force was told that relatives of some officers had been recruited into the service.
The most serious claims involved inmates. Persistent collusion was reportedly being seen in some prisons. Officers were allegedly helping prisoners run phone scams and fraud schemes.
Drug trafficking was also cited. Petty trading from inside prisons was mentioned as another concern. The activities were said to undermine the core purpose of rehabilitation.
Officers Face Hard Conditions
The report did not place all blame on individual officers. Poor working conditions were also identified as a major concern.
Low pay was cited. Outdated equipment was also highlighted. Welfare support was said to be inadequate.
Poor living conditions were also reported. These pressures were linked to low morale among officers. The task force said they could weaken service delivery.
The findings also revisited concerns raised by the Madoka Committee. That earlier review had examined overcrowding and poor conditions in prisons. Human rights concerns had also been raised.
Reform Delays Criticised
The Maraga task force found that earlier reforms had not been fully carried out. Implementation was described as uneven. A lack of sustained commitment was also highlighted.
A fresh vetting process was recommended. It was proposed that the exercise be completed within six months. The move was aimed at addressing leadership and corruption concerns.
When the report was released, Mr Maraga called for merit-based appointments. He also urged fair competition in public appointments.
The former chief justice had earlier criticised the delay in releasing the report. He had urged the president to make it public. He had also said he would release it himself if that did not happen.
The findings now place renewed focus on Kenya’s correctional system. They also raise questions about how far previous reform efforts have gone.
For inmates, officers and the wider public, the challenge remains the same. Prisons are expected to punish wrongdoing while preparing people to return to society. The report suggests that both goals can be weakened when oversight fails.
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