Officers in the Prisons service will soon enjoy the same privileges as those in the National Police Service, Prisons commissioner general Wycliffe Ogalo has said.
Ogalo said he has finalised discussions with the Public Service Commission which has agreed to elevate the officers from a 16 to 14 ranking so they can be at par with those in the NPS.
This, he said, will ensure the smooth flow of command between the prison warders and other security officers during joint operations.
He said prison officers are doing a great job in enforcing Health ministry's protocols to protect vulnerable persons in penal institutions, hence, the need to ensure their welfare was well catered to.
Speaking at Bomet GK prison on Friday when he toured the facility to check on Covid-19 preparedness, Ogalo said the service values the work of the officers and will strive to promote those who have served for many years in the same rank.
He said, “Some of the officers are nearing retirement and the only way to appreciate them is by offering them a package as a motivation for the time they have served Kenyans in different capacities.”
Following this, the commissioner general promoted six officers whom he said have been doing great work and also those who have worked for a long time in the service.
He said the move was meant to boost their morale and add something to their retirement benefits.
He was accompanied by officer in-charge John Ngeno, Bomet county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding and other senior officers from the county security team.
He also visited Sotik GK prison.
The commissioner general disclosed that the Prisons Service was set to produce about two million face masks that will be used by warders and inmates during this period.
“The government has set aside funds to make sure there is safety in all our correction facilities."
Edited by R.Wamochie
