Nairobi:Correctional experts are advocating for a shift towards sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient practices within Kenya’s correctional facilities. This initiative was highlighted during the ongoing Correctional Service Week 2026.
According to Kenya News Agency, David Mui, Deputy Director at the Probation and Aftercare Service, showcased the Kimumu Probation Hostel as a model for environmental sustainability. The facility employs biogas for cooking, solar energy for lighting, and integrates zero-grazing with vegetable gardening. It also maintains tree nurseries and cultivates climate-resilient crops such as Napier grass using drip irrigation.
Margaret Anyova from Siaya Probation Female Hostel shared her station’s use of solar technology for lighting and a borehole irrigation system, which replaces the traditional electricity grid. She emphasized that this initiative ensures a more reliable supply of electricity and water, addresses basic human needs, and enhances safety. The solar-powered borehole has notably reduced water shortages, supported agricultural activities, and provided clients with practical farming skills. This transition has also reduced operational costs and bolstered environmental sustainability.
At the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), SACGP Dan Obiero, Director of Planning, noted the implementation of solar energy projects in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at Nairobi Remand Prison and Kisumu Maximum Prison. These projects have enabled continuous virtual court sessions and reduced operational expenses. Obiero also reaffirmed KPS’s dedication to the Greening Kenya Initiative, revealing that over 10 million trees have been planted by the service thus far.
Earlier in the week, correctional practitioners, experts, and stakeholders convened in Nairobi to explore innovative approaches to reforming Kenya’s correctional system. A session on technology-driven solutions called for the creation of a unified information management system to enhance the tracking of offender supervision, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. Ghislain d’Adesky of Telio Company introduced digital solutions aimed at transitioning correctional operations from paper-based to digital systems, emphasizing the need for strong organizational commitment and strategic partnerships.
Discussions during the conference underscored how centralized data could improve coordination across correctional institutions, promote evidence-based decision-making, and support the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. The three-day conference, themed ‘Transforming Correctional Services through Technology and Green Solutions’, is set to conclude with a gala dinner recognizing outstanding performers within the State Department for Correctional Services.
