TRANS NZOIA, Kenya – Vocal Saboti MP Caleb Amisi is now pushing for employment opportunities for qualified prisoners.
The youthful MP who spoke on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2025, during a visit to the Prison Annex and Kitale Women’s Prison in Kitale, disclosed that he was formulating a Bill to be soon tabled before the floor of the House on the welfare of prisoners.
“They may have wronged society, but they deserve our humanity,” the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker told news9.africa in an exclusive interview.
In his own words, the lawmaker, keen to see to it that inmates lead a decent life after they are released from prison, further said.
“Should it be carpentry, masonry, brickmaking, or whatever it is, it must be the responsibility of the government to release a prisoner and offer them job opportunities,” added the lawmaker.
MP Amisi, who is now serving his second term in office, observed that this is because the inmates are not being taken out to look for jobs.
“If we are training our youth in prison, then we should ensure that when they are released, they join the job market. The Bill that I will soon be tabling in Parliament states that if a prisoner is freed, they join the job market directly. This is because these are the people who will build and grow this country,” explained MP Amisi.
What is the status of Kenyan inmates
Inmate welfare in Kenya focuses on health, rehabilitation (education, skills, spiritual), and humane conditions, with the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) providing services like healthcare (now via the Social Health Authority for some), education, sports, and counselling, though challenges like overcrowding, especially for lactating mothers, and the need for better facilities persist, driving government plans for modernisation and improved living standards.
During the visit, MP Amisi instructed the prison warden that those who entertained him alongside his entourage are given Sh 10,000 for upkeep in prison.
“I have also given you all Sh 30,000 for breakfast. For our officers, I have also sorted them out,” the MP told the overjoyed inmates
How can the government support inmates
He urged the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration to prioritise the needs of Kenyans in the New Year.
“I want to tell the government that in 2026, it must ensure that Kenyans have money in their pockets. This Christmas, people are broke. I decided to stand with you (inmates) because I understand how difficult things are out there,” he further said.
The MP revealed that “Some of the youth in my constituency have told me that they would rather fight out there and be jailed to get free food behind bars, and I can tell you that things are hard out there, courtesy of your president.”
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