Patrick Aranduh was on Wednesday sworn in as the new Commissioner General of Prisons at State House, Nairobi.
Arandu took the oath of office before President William Ruto in a ceremony presided over by Deputy State House Comptroller Josephat Nanok.
President Ruto praised Arandu as a competent professional and exuded confidence that under his leadership, the Kenya Prisons Service will implement the various reforms the President has lined up.
“I am confident that the responsibilities assigned to you by virtue of this appointment are merited. The Prisons Service is looking forward to your leadership in making sure that our correctional services are managed appropriately in the best interest of the company,” said Ruto.
“I pledge and commit my support and that of the entire government.”
Among the plans Ruto’s administration has for the prison service is the provision of better housing for prison officers and increasing their salaries alongside those of other police officers.
“This month, the Prisons men and women will have their first salary increment instalment together with the other security agencies,” said Ruto.
President Ruto late last year pledged a 40 per cent increment in police officers’ salaries as part of recommendations by a task-force on police reforms chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga.
In February this year, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed that the salary increment will start July this year, and be rolled out gradually over the next three years.
The Prison Service has also been incorporated into the government’s national tree-planting initiative, as well as food production.
“I expect you to make sure that every arable piece of land under the Prisons Service is put under food production to supply food to the service and by extension the country,” Ruto told Aranduh.
PS Omollo was present at Wednesday’s swearing-in event, alongside Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
President Ruto appointed Aranduh on July 12 to succeed John Warioba, who proceeded on terminal leave.
