The Judiciary has released 500 inmates in an effort to decongest correctional facilities in the North Rift region.
The move is also aimed at cutting down the cost of feeding prisoners.
Speaking to journalist in Eldoret on Tuesday, Kitale High Court Judge Hillary Chemitei said inmates who were released under the initiative were those with petty offenses who were serving sentences of two years and below.
“Today we are releasing 500 inmates from Eldoret, Ngeria, Tambach and Kapsabet prisons for them to serve the remaining sentences at home. This will help to decongest the said prisons,” Justice Chemitei told journalists.
Those who have been released will serve the remaining sentences under the community service in schools, hospitals, and other government institutions.
Under the program to set free petty offenders, Justice Chemitei said it will enable the government save up to Sh500 million that would have been used to feed them.
He said the decongestion exercise was done on merit by the probation department in conjunction with the judiciary.
The High Court judge also urged members of the public to accept and support the inmates who had been set free for them to feel as part of the community.
He further advised Kenyans to solve petty offenses such as illicit brew and marital issues at home so as to play a part in the prisons congestion exercise.