Africa-Press – Kenya. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has flagged widespread graft risks and systemic weaknesses at the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), exposing a chain of failures that compromise inmate welfare, financial integrity, and service delivery.
In a report released on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Nairobi, the EACC said it had completed a comprehensive review of systems, policies, and procedures within KPS.
The examination, done in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and funded by the European Union under the PLEAD II Programme, reveals deeply rooted inefficiencies in the prison system.
“The fight against corruption is far from over, but we want to assure Kenyans that we, as a commission, will not give up,” said EACC Chairperson David Oginde.
Dr Oginde stressed that reforms were not only urgent but also necessary to restore dignity and accountability in the country’s correctional facilities.
“Upholding human dignity is a critical thing,” he added.
The report reveals that the legal framework guiding KPS operations is outdated and inconsistent with the Constitution and international standards, particularly the United Nations’ Mandela Rules.
This has created loopholes that weaken accountability. A key area of concern is the Prison Enterprise Fund, which manages proceeds from prison farms and industries.
The fund operates outside the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, opening it up to mismanagement.
The EACC also noted that the Commissioner General of Prisons lacks control over budgeting and expenditure, limiting operational efficiency.
The audit found that inmates’ funds have been diverted to run prison operations, including staff events and buying medical supplies, raising serious red flags over financial accountability.
“Inmate welfare is also gravely compromised,” the commission said, citing cases where inmates were denied basic items like mattresses, blankets, and soap.
Such conditions, the report states, create opportunities for bribery, exploitation, and abuse.
Prison infirmaries are underfunded and poorly equipped, with reports of expired medication and poor inventory management.
Inmates are also not consistently segregated by age, risk, or offence, which undermines rehabilitation and increases the risk of repeat offending.
EACC also revealed irregularities in prison procurement. Some goods and services were bought without formal documentation, with approvals issued after delivery.
In some regions, identical goods were bought at widely different prices, exposing the system to inflated costs and embezzlement.
The examination found that recruitment within KPS was plagued by bribery, favouritism, and fraud.
Some recruits were asked to refund bribes after disciplinary processes. Others were irregularly promoted through the manipulation of payroll records.
The report also points to stalled construction projects, use of buildings without occupancy certificates, and inadequate controls in staff deployment. Some officers were posted without formal letters or roles defined.
The EACC is calling for immediate reforms, including automation of core systems, updating policies, and establishing oversight frameworks to restore public confidence and operational effectiveness in the correctional system.
Dr Salome Beacco, Principal Secretary, State Department for Correctional Services, said the partnership between EACC and KPS was a bold step towards transparency.
“This is the way to go if we are to strengthen institutions and promote reform,” she said.
The EACC insists that unless the report’s recommendations are implemented, the prison service will remain vulnerable to inefficiency.
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