Two petitioners have filed an urgent petition in court, challenging the ongoing recruitment and promotion processes within the Kenya Prisons Service, claiming that the exercises are unconstitutional and could violate their rights.
The petitioners, Peter Agoro and Henry Muriithi, argue that the promotion and recruitment activities are being conducted by the Commissioner General of Prisons, who is listed as the first respondent in the case. They seek immediate court intervention, warning that unless the court acts quickly, the process will be completed before the next mention date on May 20, 2025, potentially rendering their petition ineffective.
The petitioners highlight that promotion interviews at the station level took place between April 22 and 25, 2025, while regional, headquarters, and Prison Staff Training College interviews are scheduled from May 5 to 9. External recruitment for cadet officers, professionals, artisans, and technicians is set for April 30. The petitioners claim that by the time the case is heard, the entire process will have concluded, depriving them of any chance for redress.
They further argue that the process could result in the violation of constitutional rights for hundreds of graduate officers, especially if the ongoing recruitment and promotions are allowed to continue unchecked. The petitioners contend that these actions could result in irreversible harm, making it crucial for the court to act urgently.
While the court acknowledged the urgency of the matter during its directions on April 23, it refrained from issuing interim conservatory orders to stop the processes. In light of this, the petitioners have now requested a review of those directions, insisting that immediate court intervention is necessary to prevent the petition from becoming a mere academic exercise.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the Kenya Prisons Service, as it could set a precedent for how recruitment and promotion processes in public institutions are conducted.
