WHO IS BAYING FOR PRISONS BOSS BLOOD?

Who is fighting Kenya Prisons Commissioner General Isaiah Osugo? Sources at Magereza House have hinted that some senior bosses have hatched a plot to undermine Osugo with the hope that he will be retired so that they take over.

In their plot, they have been spreading rumours to the effect that the commissioner is engaged in corruption activities that involve AIE issuance to prison commandants, who allegedly give him kickbacks in order to get approval from him for procurement.

Several sources said it is not possible for Osugo to micromanage procurement at various prisons since any expenditure has to be approved and budgeted for in accordance to the public procurement and disposals rules.

Again, in spite of their hope that Osugo’s term has expired, it is now emerging that the former police officer is not serving on contract term basis but is a civil servant who will retire after reaching the mandatory 60 years.

The man is credited for steering the once troubled department through the Madoka Report recommendation and reforms in spite of the budgetary challenges. 

The Madoka Committee prepared a detailed report and made specific recommendations for change and improvement. An inter-ministerial reform team was subsequently set up, and a reform implementation matrix developed as a master work plan for the process under the Integrated Correctional Services Improvement Programme.

Under Osugo’s helm, the improvement programme has already realised much progress, especially in the more immediate matters of the condition of living of inmates, the rehabilitation programs and their treatment and care.

Commissioner Osugo has over 30 years experience in the management of the criminal justice system in Kenya. He was appointed Commissioner of Prisons in July 2008. Osugo has initiated a holistic approach to prisons reforms in Kenya by enhancing working relations of inmates, officers and other stakeholders with a human rights underpinning. The improvement programme has already realised progress, especially improvement of living conditions of inmates, staff welfare, and rehabilitation programs.

The Commissioner of Prisons has further institutionalised the ‘Open Door Policy’ which encourages collaboration with stakeholders in the criminal justice system, the media, civil society and international organisations to actualise penal reform initiatives. Staff development and promotions has been streamlined through close working relations with other government agencies.

The commissioner was awarded the Order of the Chief of the Burning and Order of the Golden Warrior of Kenya for his dedication and service to the nation.

He is the East African Regional Chairperson for African Correctional Services Association charged with the responsibility of mobilising member states to support strategies towards planning, restructuring and improvement of penal institutions in Africa. In September 2008, he was honoured as the Champion of African Correctional Services Association.

The former Nairobi Provincial Criminal Investigations Department was appointed to his current position in 2008 to replace Gilbert Omondi and prior to his appointed, he had served as the Nairobi Central Divisional CID chief before he was promoted and transferred to be provincial CID chief in Eastern province. In 2005, he was transferred back to Nairobi in the same capacity where he served until his appointment.