‘The Disruptor’: Kenya’s first woman to lead a male maximum facility awarded

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 17- Kenya Prisons Staff Training College Commandant Wanini Kireri has been awarded with the Elder of Burning Spear (E.B.S), for overseeing key reforms at the correctional department in her 38 years of service.

She was uniquely singled out for the presidential award for introducing remote parenting concept within the institution.

It is a concept that has also been adopted by other government and security agencies in the country.

“The concept provides with opportunities of unrestricted quality time with their family members as a correctional and family tool, which uses a holistic approach, psychological, emotional, mental and social needs which help in the rehabilitation of prisoners,” Commissioner General of Prisons Wycliffe Ogallo said during an event to hand over the medals issued by the President in December last year.

The event was held on Wednesday at the Prions headquarters in Nairobi.

Kireri, the first female officer to head male prison facility- Shimo La Tewa- was also credited for bringing a “human face” in the department.

According to her concept, she was the “brains behind the introduction of the beauty shows in female inmates in Langata Women’s’ Prison and for males at the Shimo La Tewa prison.”

Other than boosting the inmate’s confidence and self-esteem, the shows are said to improve their taste on fashion and designs, skills their can utilize after their respective jail terms.

The commandant is also a pioneer member of the open-door policy programme, that allows the prisons department to collaborate with likeminded partners and institutions within the criminal justice sector.

Also awarded with the Elder of Burning Spear (E.B.S.) is the Deputy Commissioner General Florence Omundi for advocating “for equal opportunities of for the disabled, marginalized and vulnerable groups during recruitment, deployment and promotion.”  

She was also hailed for promoting human rights of the elderly, mothers accompanied by their children and foreigners in prisons.

Also feted was Superintendent of Prisons Humphrey Young- who is also the Commissioner General’s personal assistance- with a Head of State Commendation Military Division (HSC).

Officer Young is said to have spearheaded partnership by “building and securing relationships with stakeholders” including inter-government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations among others.

• 

11 prison officers among them Catherine Ndereba are the beneficiaries of the presidential awards for their exemplary work including promoting the country through sports.

• 

Catherine Ndereba receiving her award from the Commissioner General of Prisons Wycliffe Ogallo. Picture/Courtesy