Kenya Prisons Service officers have threatened to strike after the government failed to implement the promised salary increment for July 2024.
The prison warders, who staged a go-slow on Thursday, are protesting against what they describe as poor pay and unfulfilled government promises.
President William Ruto had previously promised the officers a salary increase of at least Ksh.2,000. However, the officers found their paychecks unchanged at the end of July, leading to disappointment and frustration.
Officers from the lowest rank of Constable anticipated a salary increase of up to Ksh.2,000, but unlike their counterparts in the National Police Service (NPS) who received their allowances, the prison officers saw no change in their pay slips.
A glimpse at a prison officer’s pay slip reveals the severity of the issue. Despite a gross pay of Ksh.47,800, a Constable takes home only Ksh.8,035 after deductions. Officers struggle to make ends meet, with rent and other expenses leaving them with insufficient funds to support their families.
The officers also face challenges beyond remuneration, such as mistreatment from senior officers and poor working conditions. Issues with uniform distribution have also been reported.
A recent directive from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has ordered a minimum monthly salary increase of Ksh.4,000 for all uniformed officers of the Kenya Prisons Service, effective from July 2024.
President Ruto had previously pledged a 40 percent salary increment for police officers as recommended by a task force on police.
