Inmates at the Naivasha Prison have criticised a proposal by Willy Mutunga that those on death row should be hanged.
Almost half of the 3,500 inmates at the facility are on death row or serving life sentences.
Jackson Wafula, who is on death row, said the Chief Justice's proposal would affect their ordinary life in prison.
He said prison authorities have given inmates serving long sentences a chance to reform by engaging in several activities.
"Some of us are in school and others are learning carpentry and other courses," Wafula said.
The 50-year-old convicted in 2009 said he has acquired fine art skills.
He said if they are to face the hangman's noose, most prisoners will not see the importance of reforming and acquiring skills.
"We have made numerous strides under the reforms being implemented. We do not know who advised the judiciary on these new measures," Wafula said.
Peter Mwangi, who is serving a life
sentence, said they have learned skills that would help them if they are pardoned.
Mwangi was sentenced to death in 1991 but his was commuted to a life sentence by President Mwai Kibaki.
He said the new proposal would affect prisoners psychologically.
"Some of these prisoners never committed the crimes they have been jailed for and others have their appeals pending in several courts," Mwangi said.
Prisoner Samuel Kagiri urged Mutunga to allow prisoners continue with the normal programmes regardless of their sentences.
He said more than 1,000 inmates at Naivasha are on death row but are were working together with the rest.