'Broke' Prisons Service cannot hire anymore

The Prisons Service is staring at a looming staff shortage, thanks to a silent suspension of recruitment that has not been lifted for almost five years.

Since 2010, there has never been recruitment of warders and wardresses even after a decline in number of the jailers because of retirement, resignation or death. Lack of funds has been cited as the main reason delaying employment of new staff.

An insider estimated that about 6,000 officers are set to retire starting next month. The figure will definitely be higher if those who have resigned, died, been sacked or voluntarily left the service are included.

“We are faced with a serious shortage. For instance in the prison where I work, about 70 officers are set to retire by this July. My boss has just declined to release 10 officers who have been transferred. He is insisting on replacements before he can let them go,” said the officer amid unconfirmed speculation that an officer has been identified to take over from Commissioner General Isaiah Osugo.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who doubled as Home Affairs minister presided over the last graduation ceremony of recruits at Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru on February 25, 2011. About 2,241 new officers graduated.

Last year, the Uhuru administration scrapped the Home Affairs ministry and placed the Prisons Service under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government headed by Joseph Ole Lenku.

On November 24, 2013, Osugo revealed the service was experiencing a shortage of 3,000 prison warders and wardresses and pleaded for funds to recruit new officers to boost the workforce.

“We have a serious challenge as pertains to personnel and transport. We are talking to Treasury to see if it is possible to hire additional officers to increase the numbers next year (2014),” he said.