Interior CS Kindiki orders resumption of family visits in prisons

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has directed the resumption of regulated family visits in all prisons and correctional facilities countrywide.

Speaking at Naivasha Maximum Prison on Wednesday, CS Kindiki said the move will allow inmates to interact with their loved ones after the visits were stopped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are going to resume the family reunions and family visitation meetings in all our facilities including Naivasha Maximum Security prison for both male and female inmates,” he said.

Through the ‘Power of Mercy’ policy, the government intends to decongest prisons and other correctional facilities by 50% by facilitating virtual court sessions and remodelling the ICT infrastructure in prisons countrywide to enable expeditious conclusion of pending matters.

"I will also speak to the Attorney General so that the plan of Power of Mercy helps to decongest our prisons. I have also committed that we are going to decongest our prisons by 50% and all categories of our inmates will be covered by that programme of mercy,” added Kindiki.

"I want you to submit a proposal for how many computers or laptops you require and I will give you enough so that as you appear in your court sessions and paralegals you can be supported.”