Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced major reforms targeting Kenya’s correctional system.
According to the CS, the reforms are meant to enable productivity and contribute to national development.
“We are rolling out extensive reforms to transform our correctional facilities into centers of effective rehabilitation and productivity that contribute meaningfully to national development,” said Murkomen.
The announcement follows a high-level consultative meeting between the CS and the leadership of the State Department for Correctional Services, led by Principal Secretary Salome Beacco on June 23rd, 2026, during which ongoing programs and reform priorities were reviewed and aligned.
Salary Increments and Welfare Improvements for Officers
During the meeting, Murkomen announced that the government is implementing a salary increase for officers serving in the Kenya Prisons Service.
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The government is also rolling out housing projects for correctional staff as part of efforts to improve working and living conditions.
All correctional officers are being enrolled under the Social Health Authority (SHA), ensuring expanded access to healthcare services.
The government also confirmed that 100% registration of inmates into healthcare systems to ensure medical cover in the correctional facilities.
“We are implementing salary increments for officers of the Kenya Prisons Service, constructing institutional housing units for staff, and the Probation and Aftercare Service. We are also enrolling all officers in SHA and implementing 100% registration of inmates to ensure access to healthcare services,” added Murkomen
Expansion of Kenya Prison Workforce
According to Murkomen, the recruitment of 3,862 officers into the Kenya Prisons Service has expanded operational capacity across the country.
He also revealed that the government plans to recruit additional personnel to ease workload pressure and enhance service delivery in overcrowded institutions.
Murkomen indicated that further recruitment is under consideration as part of ongoing efforts to build a more responsive and adequately staffed correctional system.
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CS Murkomen emphasized the government’s commitment to reforms to modernize correctional infrastructure and accelerate digitization across the prison system.
Prison farms are also being mechanized to increase productivity and support food security initiatives in the correctional service.
Murkomen commended the correctional services for contributing to agricultural production, supporting both institutional self-sufficiency in food security.
Govt to Increase Salaries for All Civil Servants in July
Government employees will receive a salary boost beginning in July following a directive by President William Ruto to review remuneration and benefits across the public sector.
Speaking during the Public Service Week celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on June 23, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the planned adjustments will apply to civil servants throughout the country.
“The President of Kenya and his government have ensured that all public servants’ salaries were increased in January 2026, and it was backdated to July 2025. Again, the government is increasing the salaries of public servants in July, including gross pay, house allowance, and commuter allowance,” stated Ruku.
The CS noted that the latest adjustment follows an earlier salary review implemented in January and is intended to improve the welfare and motivation of public servants.
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