Construction of modern housing units for prison officers will be completed by the end of this year, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Micah Powon has said.
Speaking in Eldoret on Friday while on a tour of prisons within Uasin Gishu County, Mr Powon said he will ensure the government sets aside adequate funds to complete modern houses for prison staff currently living in deplorable conditions.
“It would be a sigh of relief for prison warders if the Kenya Prisons Service completes putting the modern houses that will enable them live decent lives at their places of work," said Powon.
Powon, who earlier paid a courtesy call on Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said he and his team will visit prisons around the country to assess the condition under which prison officers work so that they can come up with a proper strategy to hasten the construction of the houses.
“The government will ensure prison warders have decent houses as one way of creating a conducive environment for the officers to discharge their duties," the PS stressed.
"It is unfortunate that our warders are forced to live in unconducive mud houses with their families in this age and error," he regretted.
He added that the roofs of the mud walled houses leak, a serious challenge to the officers particularly during the rainy season.
There are no indications nor any signs that the completion of the housing improvement project for the prison warders that has been going on for the last 10 years is anywhere near, with the contractor vanishing and always not available whenever required to explain the delay.
In his remarks, Governor Jackson Mandago promised that the county would put up facilities for children living with their parents in prison to ensure they are separated from adult inmates.