How top prison officers pocketed millions from needy job seekers

The Commission on Administrative Justice has exposed an entrenched corruption network within the Kenya Prisons Service, revealing how senior and junior officers demanded bribes running into millions of shillings from desperate job seekers in exchange for recruitment into security agencies.

According to the CAJ, also known as the Office of Ombudsman, 12 out of 17 complaints submitted by the State Department for Correctional Services were corruption –related with officers soliciting bribes ranging from Sh134,000 to as high as Sh3 million to facilitate recruitment, deployment, or other official favours.

The findings were contained in a review of performance contracting returns for the Financial Year 2025/2026.

Several of the implicated officers, including those holding senior ranks such as Chief Inspector of Police (CIP), admitted to receiving the money, refunded part or all of it, or entered into repayment agreements.

This, according to the Commission’s chairperson Charles Dulo, is an acknowledgement of corrupt practices and misconduct among officers violating legal provisions, including the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, the Public Officer Ethics Act, and the Anti-Bribery Act.

“All of these criminalise the direct or indirect solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a financial or other advantage as an inducement or reward for the improper performance of a public function,” said Dulo.

Among the admitted cases is one involving a Chief Inspector of Police and a Sergeant who received Sh600,000 from a complainant as ‘recruitment facilitation’. The officers refunded Sh500, 000, leaving a balance of Sh100, 000 with the matter still ongoing.

Another case involves a police constable who admitted to having received Sh870,000 to assist with recruitment and committed to repaying the money within two months.

A corporal was also implicated after admitting to taking Sh450, 000 to promise a job, refunded Sh200, 000 and committed to clear the balance.

In one of the most outstanding cases, a Senior Superintendent of Prisons refunded the full Sh800, 000 he had received to facilitate recruitment, leading to the closure of the complaint.

However, the Ombudsman noted that refunds and admissions do not absolve officers of criminal or administrative liability.

Other admitted cases include officers who took between Sh371, 150 and Sh90, 000, promising jobs in the Prisons Service, with several repayments still pending as of January 2026.

The commission also detailed corruption allegations that have not yet been admitted. Among them is a claim that an officer took Sh3 million from a complainant after promising to help four young men secure jobs in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Another officer allegedly received Sh800, 000 to assist a complainant’s wife get employment in KDF. These cases have been referred to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further investigations.

In another case, a prison Health Officer also alleged to have given a senior officer Sh495, 000 on the promise that he would help their cousin secure a job during recruitment.  The matter is also under investigation. 

Mr Dulo has now called for decisive action, recommending summary dismissal of officers who admitted to being involved in corruption.

The commission also recommended criminal investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and investigations into civilians who offered and paid bribes, noting that corruption is a two-way offence.

“It is totally unacceptable that the Department of Correctional Services should be at the forefront, receiving bribes to facilitate employment of staff. It cannot be allowed. Not under my watch,” Dulo warned.

Although the commission redacted the names and identities of the officers in the public report, Dulo said full details, including National Identity numbers, have been submitted to relevant authorities to facilitate disciplinary and criminal proceedings.

“Bribery or corruption is a two-way traffic. There's the giver and the receiver. And now we're taking the battle also to the people who are giving bribes,” said Dulo.

“That is why in another letter we have asked the Inspector General of police to investigate those who gave the bribes, because they have admitted and some of them have been refunded the money, as according to the reports,” Dulo added.

The Commission issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Principal Secretary for Correction Services Dr Salome Wairimu, the EACC, and the IG, Douglas Kanja, to act and submit a status report, warning that failure to do so will lead to further oversight actions on them.

Dulo noted that admission to corrupt conduct is a gross misconduct that warrants summary dismissal with immediate effect, independent of any ongoing or future criminal proceedings.

“The Commission observes that the State Department lacks the statutory authority to conclusively determine or administratively resolve corruption-related complaints.”

“Accordingly, the Commission directs the Principal Secretary, State Department for Correctional Services, to take immediate and appropriate administrative action, including the summary dismissal of the concerned officers, based on their admissions and in strict compliance with due process requirements,” Dulo directed.

With respect to the officers and persons who did not record admissions, the Commission recommended that investigations be carried out by EACC and where culpability is established, appropriate administrative, disciplinary, and criminal action should be taken in accordance with the law without delay.

Human rights advocates welcomed the Ombudsman’s intervention but warned that failure to impose strict and serious consequences would undermine justice reforms and erode public trust in public institutions.

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Executive Director Demas Kiprono questioned how officers implicated in corruption could easily refund the money without facing punishment.

“Prison officers are part of the law enforcement group of people. And for us to witness outright illegal activity that is not being punished, it is just a slap on the wrist. It is very worrying for the reforms that we want for our country,” said Kiprono.