President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned the late Senior Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Wanini Kireri.
He said the first Woman Commandant of Prisons Staff Training College was a trailblazer who broke the glass ceiling for Kenyan women serving in the prison service through sheer hard work, determination and discipline.
In a message of condolence to the family, colleagues and friends of Kireri, Uhuru said death has robbed Kenya of one of her brightest stars.
He said Kireri's decades of outstanding public service helped uplift the profile of Kenya Prisons Service.
Kireri enlisted in the Kenya Prisons Service as a Cadet in 1982 and has over the years risen through the ranks to become one of Kenya's highest positioned prisons officers, earning several accolades and decorations along the way.
Kireri died after a short illness at AAR Hospital along Kiambu road on Tuesday, shortly past noon.
"It is with deep sorrow that the Kenya Prisons Service wishes to info the general public of the unfortunate demise of the commandant, Prisons Staff Training College- Ruiru, SACGP Wanii Kireri, EBS," read a statement by brigadier Warioba.
