President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promise of salary increase for prison and police officers effective this month.
Speaking Wednesday morning at State House during the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Prisons Service Commissioner General, Patrick Mwiti Arandu, President Ruto said starting this month, the servicemen will receive the first instalment of their salary increment.
The pay rise is in line with the recommendations made by the Taskforce chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga last year.
“As a commitment that I made last year to our men in uniform, from this month we will be living up to our commitment to enhance salaries, from this month the prison officers and all security agencies will receive the first instalment of increment of salaries” he said.
President Ruto at the same time pledged his support to Commissioner Arandu, urging him to ensure the prison land complements efforts in ensuring food security in the country, and decent housing for officers.
“You come in the office with good tidings, I look forward to working with you to ensure Kenya Prisons Service moves to the next level,” He said.
He congratulated him for the years put in service and assured him of his support and that of the entire government in transforming the service into a correctional service of excellence
“We are transforming our correctional practices from punishment to rehabilitation so as to empower prisoners and prepare them for productive participation in the running of our country”, he stated.
The President also shared his expectations from the incoming CGP namely contributing to national tree-planting exercise to combat climate change, food security by ensuring arable land is put under food production and impeccable leadership and stewardship to KPS.
Arandu is set to replace Brigadier John Wariobah who is proceeding on terminal leave pending the end of his tenure of Office.
In his first 100 days, the incoming Commissioner General said he will prioritize modernization in the prisons department.
