- Principal Secretary Salome Beacco says the donation marks a historic milestone for male inmates at Meru GK Prison.
- Kaaga Girls High School donates 180 beds, mattresses, and blankets after phasing out wooden beds from dormitories.
- Government pledges to modernise correctional facilities and improve living conditions for inmates and prison officers.
Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Muhia Beacco has lauded the Kaaga Girls High School Board of Management for donating bedding to Meru GK Prison in a move aimed at restoring dignity to male inmates.
Speaking at Meru GK Prison, Dr. Beacco said the institution had received 180 mattresses, 180 blankets, and 180 beds, terming the gesture historic since male prisoners had never enjoyed such facilities.
The PS said it was the first time such a donation had been made since the establishment of correctional facilities in 1911.
“Since 1911, male prisoners have had no bedding. Today you have wiped the tears of 180 male prisoners in this institution. Don’t think that what you have done is not important. We applaud you for donating 180 beds, 180 mattresses, and 180 blankets to inmates. Every little thing you do on a daily basis is very important. That is why today the learners came and donated the bedding to the male inmates at Meru GK Prison,” said the PS.
Government pledges prison reforms
She said the triple-decker bed project was initiated last year due to limited space in correctional facilities, noting that the department launches a new development project every year.
The Principal Secretary revealed that Kenya’s correctional facilities are currently housing approximately 64,000 inmates, with male prisons facing acute shortages of beds and bedding.
She said the government is implementing reforms aimed at making prisons more humane by improving accommodation facilities, providing quality beds and bedding, upgrading sanitation infrastructure, and creating a dignified environment for both inmates and prison officers.
“We have about 64,000 inmates and approximately 61,000 probation and aftercare clients, which is a big number. The male section was established in 1911, and since then we have had no bedding for men. It is very saddening. They have been abandoned for long now. We are the foot soldiers of President William Ruto, and we will serve diligently,” said Dr. Beacco.
She promised to improve correctional facilities by introducing a new project every year, saying the department aims to modernise prisons in the same way learning institutions have continued to improve.
The PS called on stakeholders to work together to ensure the country’s development progresses smoothly.
“We shall ensure every prison guard has decent housing. All the ongoing projects are meant to restore dignity to both inmates and prison officers while on duty,” she said.
She also called on Kenyans to support and re-elect President William Ruto’s government in the 2027 General Election to enable it to complete the projects already initiated.
Dr. Beacco pledged to modernise all correctional facilities, noting that significant progress had been made over the past three to four years.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done. It can only be done if you give us a chance. Any good work is done over a period of between five and 10 years. That is why strategic plans cover either five or 10 years. We humbly request you to give us another chance to improve our work and restore everyone’s dignity. We need to modernise our correctional facilities. Our goal is to get to Singapore,” said Dr. Beacco.
School embraces social responsibility
Kaaga Girls High School Chief Principal Eunice Maeke said the school decided to donate the beds after the Ministry of Education directed schools to phase out wooden beds from dormitories as part of enhanced fire safety measures.
“We decided to donate them to Meru GK Prison instead of disposing of them. The school made the donation as part of its corporate social responsibility,” said the Chief Principal.
Maeke said the school is committed to nurturing learners while promoting compassion, service to humanity, and social responsibility.
She said education should not only focus on academic excellence but also on producing responsible citizens who care for the welfare of others.
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Director of Enterprise at the Kenya Prisons Service Charles Mutembei said the donation by Kaaga Girls High School highlights the importance of partnerships between government institutions and the wider society in improving correctional services.
By John Majau
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