NAIROBI, Kenya — The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has uncovered a persistent network of corruption within the Kenya Prisons Service, with officers allegedly demanding and receiving bribes in exchange for recruitment, deployment and other official favours.
The findings are contained in an analysis of performance contracting returns submitted by the Ministry of Interior, detailing how public complaints against security agencies were handled.
According to the Ombudsman, corruption dominated the complaints reviewed, with 12 out of 17 cases linked to bribery involving prison and police officers.
The report shows that in several instances, officers admitted receiving money, refunded part or all of it, or made direct admissions during internal disciplinary proceedings.
In one case highlighted by the Commission, a police officer identified as PC I.C allegedly failed to repay Sh134,000 borrowed from a complainant.
After both parties were summoned, the officer entered into a repayment agreement committing to remit Sh3,000 monthly.
Another complaint involved Sh495,000 allegedly paid to an officer identified as Dr I, who promised to secure employment for the complainant’s cousin.
The case remains under investigation following summonses issued to both parties.
More serious allegations include claims that a corporal identified as F.K received Sh3 million to facilitate the recruitment of four young men into the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), while another officer, CPL F.M, allegedly obtained Sh800,000 to help a complainant’s wife secure a KDF position.
Both cases are currently being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The Ombudsman noted that additional complaints cited bribes ranging between Sh600,000 and Sh870,000 for recruitment facilitation, with cumulative amounts in some cases exceeding Sh4 million. While a number of cases have been concluded, several remain active.
In response, the Commission has urged the State Department for Correctional Services to take immediate administrative action, including the summary dismissal of officers who admitted to wrongdoing, while ensuring due process is observed.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been directed to pursue further action against all implicated officers and submit a detailed status report to the Ombudsman within 60 days.
The Inspector General of Police has also been instructed to investigate individuals who allegedly offered bribes to DCI officers and provide a report to the Commission within the same timeframe.
The Ombudsman said the findings point to systemic weaknesses in recruitment oversight within the security sector and warned that failure to act decisively would entrench corruption and erode public trust in state institutions.
