GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO KENYA NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON THEIR BIASED REPORT CONCERNING PRISON REFORMS

Since July, 2008, from the time the Government received the Madoka Committee’s report, the Government has been implementing real changes in the prisons service.It was therefore shocking to see a Government Agency, the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), launch a report that they know is not accurate and which is misleading to the public.

Major changes have occured in the last few years in the Prisons department. Wardens and prisoners are now all fitted with uniforms and shoes. Housing for wardens has been improved. Prisoners now receive blankets and matresess. Medical facilities in all prisons have been greatly improved and the prisons industry workshops have been revived. There are more changes that have occured in the last three years than occured in the previous 29 years. The job is not done and more reforms will continue to get our prisons tothe state they are supposed to be but a lot has been done.

It is therefore wrong and a waste of tax-payers money for the Commission to issue an outdated report that does not capture the reality. The Government appreciates the role played KNCHR but the Commission should beguided by honesty, objectivity and real desire to improve the welfare of the people.

The Government questions the intentions of the Commissioners. The Commissioners are educated people with great understanding.
Therefere, for them to undertake to mislead the public, they are either naive, ignorant, practicing impunity or with political motivations and hence of questionable integrity.
The Commission should be above board and should be viewed as an organ by the Government and public as one that helps Government and others improve services andshould not be a rogue activism group.

The Commissions’s report claims that reforms faltered in the Prisons department when they were staffing changes – which to the people of Kenya means when running of the Ministry was given to a new Minister (the current Vice President), Permanent Secretary,Prisons Commissioner and other key officials.
This report can only be viewed as a political statement with a certain partisan agenda, bearing in mind that the Prisons Department will be celebrating its 100 year annivesary next week.

If the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights’ Commissioners find it extremely difficult to undertake their duties with fairness, objectivity and good intentions, they should resign and let Kenyans who are able to discharge a better service, using tax-payers money take over. KNHCR Commissioners should realize that the days of impunity are drawing to an end and that Kenyans are aware of what is going on. The new Constitution is applicable to all – Commissioners or Otherwise.



Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, EBS
PUBLIC COMMUICATIONS SECRETARY &
GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

March 30, 2011,
MOMBASA .