By Tony Wafula
Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Correctional Services, Dr. Salome Wairimu has revealed that the government’s plan to ensure all inmates are registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) is being slowed down by the inmates lacking national identification cards.
Speaking at Bungoma GK Prisons during an official inspection tour, PS Wairimu emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to improving the welfare of inmates beginning with their access to universal health care.
She noted that despite a significant push to enroll all prisoners into the SHA system a considerable number remain unregistered due to the absence of national IDs.
“We have put measures in place to ensure that inmates are registered under SHA,” she said.
PS Wairimu added, “As of today, 50 percent of inmates at Bungoma GK Prisons have been successfully registered. However the major challenge is that many do not have identification cards, which are essential for enrollment,”
To address the problem, Wairimu said the Ministry has partnered with the Department of Registration of Persons and the Immigration Department to expedite the issuance of identification cards to inmates across the country.
“We are working closely with the relevant departments to ensure that all inmates receive their identification documents. This collaboration will enable smooth and complete registration to SHA within the next six months,” she added.
Wairimu stressed that inmates are not to be excluded from enjoying the benefits of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative, a key pillar under the government’s social protection agenda.
She assured the public that the State Department of Correctional Services is taking a proactive role in ensuring that no one is left behind.
The PS also outlined a series of reforms the government is implementing to improve the overall state of correctional facilities in the country key among them is the enhancement of prison infrastructure to create a more humane and dignified environment for both staff and inmates.
“We are modernizing our facilities to reflect dignity, safety and professionalism,” she said.
She further pointed out that top Ministry officials, including Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, are now prioritizing field visits to understand local needs directly, a shift from traditional desk-bound leadership.
“We no longer operate only from Nairobi. We are now on the ground, engaging with staff and stakeholders so that we can provide solutions that reflect real needs and challenges,” Wairimu stated.
The PS lauded Bungoma GK Prisons for maintaining a green and clean environment, aligning with President William Ruto’s directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
She noted that correctional institutions have been incorporated into the national tree planting campaign and the visible efforts in Bungoma were encouraging.
The event was also attended by Bungoma County Commissioner Thomas Sankei, county officials and senior officers from the State Department for Correctional Services.
