Prison wardens on go slow after State fails to honour pay hike

Trouble is brewing at the country’s corrections facilities as prison warders threaten to paralyze normal operations over the non-payment of a promised salary increment by the end of July.

The Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) warders, manning prison gates and watchtowers in some of Kenya’s largest facilities, have boycotted key duties and threatened to release dangerous criminals if their demands are not met. The warders are also protesting squalid living conditions, corruption, and mistreatment by their bosses.

A spot-check revealed that several prison facilities across the country, including Nakuru GK Prisons, Shimo la Tewa in Taita Taveta, and Naivasha Prisons had been affected.

An officer attached to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation, stated, “We have been taken for a ride for way too long. It’s time to correct the deeply ingrained injustices that have plagued the service for years.”

At Nakuru Prisons, officers indicated that warders might down tools if their issues are not addressed. “Some people are not working; there is a looming crisis affecting all prisons,” said one warder.

The warders complained of poor working conditions and remuneration issues, noting that their counterparts in the National Police Service (NPS) have received increments. The unrest stems from the correctional services’ decision to delay their payment for July 2024. “Another issue is the failure to include the Sh4,000 salary increment as directed by President William Ruto,” said another warder.

The warders say they were demoralized as they expected their salaries from July 20, but there was no increment. Other complaints include lack of uniforms, modern firearms, and discrimination in promotions. Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, in a communication dated July 31, assured that the government is committed to implementing recommendations by the National Taskforce on reforms for the National Police Service and Prisons services, including salary increments for uniformed prisons officers.

A constable in the Prison Service is supposed to receive a minimum increase of Sh4,000 effective July 1. “There is discrimination in the Prison Department, especially in implementing a pay rise,” said another warder. Another officer suspected that funds intended for warders’ salaries were being redirected, causing widespread anger among officers who fear speaking out due to victimization.

Newly appointed Commissioner General of Prisons, Patrick Mwiti Arandu, told The Saturday Standard that the crisis had been averted.

“We have made official communication and circulated it across all facilities. The officers missed the salary increment because we got late approvals, and by the time, the payrolls had already been closed. We promise that at the end of August, they will get their July arrears and August combined,” said Arandu. “I will keenly look into the officers’ welfare, including all other issues raised.”

The disquiet comes days after Arandu took charge of KPS, succeeding Brigadier John Kibaso Warioba, who recently proceeded on terminal leave. Arandu’s first task appears to include addressing internal issues that threaten to paralyze the country’s correctional facilities. Arandu is expected to meet with officers in charge of prisons across the country on Monday, including all section heads at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru. “This is just a regular quarterly meeting. I’ll use the forum to share my vision for the service,” said Arandu. Principal Secretary, State Department of Correctional Services Salome Wairimu Muhia, is also expected to address the officers.

President William Ruto made the salary increment commitment during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Commissioner General of Prisons at State House in Nairobi. An officer, who sought anonymity, stated, “I joined the service seven years ago and am still a constable with nothing to show. I have since earned a degree, but this doesn’t reflect in my paycheck.” Another officer added, “We have children of top officers joining the service and starting from senior sergeant or inspector levels, while we remain in lower ranks despite our experience.”

A prison warder attached to Malindi Prison said the injustices included unfair allocation of prison uniforms, with some officers being given priority over others. “Uniforms should be given every year, but at our station, only seniors and a few selected ones get them. We are forced to buy our own. For how long?” posed the warder.

In 2008, nine senior prison officials were charged with inciting warders who had gone on strike over poor pay.