Murkomen decries poor state of prisons, joins fundraiser for inmate beds
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, expressed regret over the current status of prisons in Kenya.
Through a post on X, the CS said the government must urgently address basic gaps in the correctional system, including bed capacity, sanitation, and living conditions for inmates.
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Murkomen revealed that during his ongoing Jukwaa la Usalama county tours, the issue of poor living conditions in prisons has come up repeatedly as a significant concern.
He said the reality within the country’s correctional facilities is far from humane, with overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure making rehabilitation harder.
“Over the course of our Jukwaa la Usalama counties tour, the living conditions in our prisons have repeatedly featured as a critical concern,” Murkomen said.
Church-led initiative to help inmates
The CS made the remarks after presiding over a fundraising dinner for the Triple-Decker Bed Campaign, an initiative spearheaded by the Metropolitan Catholic Diocese of Nairobi.
The campaign aims to provide sufficient beds in correctional facilities, ensuring that no inmate is forced to sleep on the floor.
“This evening, I was pleased to preside over a fundraising dinner for He for He Adopt a Triple-Decker Bed Campaign, an initiative by the Metropolitan Catholic Diocese of Nairobi, aimed at ensuring that every inmate in our correctional facilities has access to a bed,” Murkomen wrote.
He lauded the church for what he termed a noble effort that directly complements the state’s goal of transforming prisons into centres of genuine rehabilitation rather than punishment alone.
Leaders join hands
The event brought together several senior government officials, including Principal Secretaries led by Correctional Services PS Dr. Salome Beacco, and religious leaders led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Metropolitan Diocese of Nairobi.
Murkomen stressed that such collaborations between the state and faith-based organisations are essential for creating humane environments that support the reintegration of inmates back into society.
“We commend the church for this noble effort, which bolsters our commitment to create a more humane environment for rehabilitation,” the CS noted.
The CS further indicated that beyond beds, broader reforms are required to overhaul the correctional system.
He hinted that his ministry will soon unveil a framework to improve prison infrastructure, enhance staff capacity, and modernise rehabilitation programmes.
