- Kindiki stated that the term of the Technical Committee shall be nine months with effect from the date of publication.
- The CS may, however, if necessary, extend the term of the committee.
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has constituted a Technical Committee on the Development of Legal and Policy Framework for Correctional Services in the country.
According to a gazette notice dated April 30, and issued on May 9, the committee will include a chairperson and their vice, 11 members and three joint secretaries.
Members
Kindiki appointed Christine Obondi and the chairperson and SACGP Angus Masoro as the vice chairperson.
The 11 members include Emmanuel Ndunda (Kenya Prison Services), Michael Matekwa (Probation and Aftercare Services), Peter Wanjohi (State Department for Correctional Services) and Humphrey Young (State Department for Correctional Services).
Others are Christine Mangwana (State Department for Correctional Services), Maureen Odendo (Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice), Rajab Mwachia (Kenya Law Reform Commission) and Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina (Representative from the Judiciary).
Also appointed to the committee are Alice Mumbi Mathangani (Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions), John Kamau Njuguna (National Police Service) and Charles Otieno (Technical Advisor).
The joint secretaries include Sammy Kioko, Carolyne Atieno Odero and Jedidah Anyango.
Kindiki stated that the term of the Technical Committee shall be nine months with effect from the date of publication.
The CS may, however, if necessary, extend the term of the committee.
Mandates and powers
The Committee has been tasked with conducting legal audits, background research and providing advice to the Ministry on the legislative framework and landscape of correctional services in alignment with the Constitution.
Additionally, it is mandated with conducting stakeholder mapping and analysis in the criminal justice sector and making recommendations on the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for correctional services, among others.
It will have the power to regulate its procedure and hold meetings, public forums or consultations as it shall deem necessary.
It is also empowered to review official reports, policy, legislation or any other document related to the Technical Committee's mandate and hold consultative engagement with sector stakeholders and members of the public.
In undertaking its mandate, the Technical Committee shall prepare documents including a work plan of the activities, periodic progress reports, an implementation matrix of its proposals and any other relevant documents.
The secretariat of the committee shall be based at the State Department for Correctional Services Offices at Telposta Towers, 28th Floor, Nairobi.
Kindiki directed that after its period, the technical committee shall prepare and submit to the CS a final report of the committee, draft National Correctional Services Policy, draft Kenya Correctional Services Bill and any other relevant preparatory document to facilitate submission of the Policy and the Bill to Cabinet and Parliament.