The Department of Correctional Services under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination on Friday visited the Eldoret Main Prison to assess the institution’s development, surroundings and occupation of inmates.
Ministry Principal Secretary Micah Powon said inmates in all the prisons in Kenya should be taken care of since they are Kenyan citizens who need to exercise all the rights as others.
Powon noted the importance of his department working with the county government of Uasin Gishu in a bid to upgrade the standards of the prison.
“We have come here to address the long-term challenges that have been facing the inmates not only in this institution but across Kenya,” said Powon.
He added that the department has plans of expanding the training facility and providing inmates with various learning equipment to equip themselves with skills. He added that they are working with immigration department to issue identity cards to the prisoners.
Powon further urged the judiciary to speed up the cases to reduce congestion problem.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago who accompanied Powon noted the importance of children accessing education saying his government will facilitate building of ECDE Schools within the prison.
“We want every child to access learning facilities in our county. We cannot lock them out because they are in prison,” said Mandago.
He added that his government will provide finances for fencing the institution and construction of a road that will ease access to the prison. Moreover, the county boss called upon the state department to carry out inspection in all the institutions to curb cases of mismanagement of funds and delays by contractors.