Members of Parliament are now urging the Kenya Prisons Service to shift from reliance on government allocations and instead utilize its vast tracts of land for income-generating activities. The call was made by the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee during an engagement with the Commissioner of Prisons, Patrick Aranduh.
The legislators emphasized the need for the prisons service to become self-sustaining by investing in ventures such as agriculture, vocational training, and industrial production using available resources.
The committee also demanded a forensic audit of the revenue currently being generated by the Kenya Prisons Service. Lawmakers raised concerns over a lack of transparency and accountability in how the funds are managed, suggesting possible financial mismanagement.
“There is immense potential within the prison system that remains untapped,” said one committee member. “We must ensure that revenue streams are properly accounted for and used to modernize facilities, rather than burdening taxpayers.”
In a related development, the National Assembly is expected to deliberate on the Correctional Services Bill, which seeks to formalize and regulate the use of inmate labor. The bill aims to enhance the productivity of prisoners by ensuring their work contributes meaningfully to the economy while respecting their rights.
The proposed reforms come amid growing calls for transformation in the country’s correctional system, with an emphasis on rehabilitation, transparency, and self-reliance.
