The Kenya Prisons Service has released the list of shortlisted candidates for its 2025 recruitment drive, following an advertisement published on April 7, 2025, in The Star and The Daily Nation. The recruitment targets a diverse range of positions, including Professional Cadet Officers, Technicians, and Artisans, reflecting the service’s commitment to bolstering its workforce with skilled professionals. With over 1,200 candidates shortlisted, this recruitment exercise marks a significant step in enhancing the operational capacity of the Kenya Prisons Service.
The interviews are scheduled to take place from Tuesday, June 10, 2025, to Friday, June 13, 2025, starting at 8:00 AM each day. The venue for the interviews is the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, located along Ruiru–Kiambu Road, off the Eastern Bypass. Candidates are urged to adhere strictly to the provided schedule and venue, as the Kenya Prisons Service has issued a stern warning against fraudulent activities, stating that any interviews conducted outside the designated location should be treated as criminal.
Positions
The recruitment covers an impressive array of 46 distinct roles, catering to both specialized professional and technical expertise. These positions are critical to the operational and administrative functions of the Kenya Prisons Service, as well as its commitment to rehabilitation and infrastructure development. Below is an overview of the positions available:
Medical and Health-Related Roles
The Kenya Prisons Service is seeking professionals to enhance its healthcare services within correctional facilities. Roles include Medical Officers, Psychiatrists, Registered Clinical Officers, Nursing Officers, Pharmacists, Dentists, Dental Technology Officers, Physiotherapy Officers, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Radiographers, Public Health Officers, Orthopaedic Officers, and Occupational Therapy Officers. Additionally, Community Oral Health Officers and Counselling Psychologists/Sociologists are included to address mental health and community health needs. These positions underscore the service’s focus on improving inmate welfare through comprehensive healthcare.
Technical and Engineering Roles
To support infrastructure development and maintenance, the recruitment includes roles such as Architects, Physical Planners, Civil Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Electrical Technicians, Solar Technicians, Water/Borehole Technicians, and Biogas Technicians. These professionals will contribute to the design, construction, and maintenance of prison facilities, ensuring they meet modern standards and support rehabilitation programs.
Artisan and Skilled Trades
The recruitment also targets artisans with hands-on skills, including Carpenters, Upholsterers, Polishers, Wood Machinists, Plumbers, Masons, Painters and Decorators, Welders, Tailors, Leather Tanners, Motor Vehicle Electricians, and Motor Vehicle Body Welders and Fabricators. These roles are essential for maintaining and upgrading prison facilities, as well as supporting vocational training programs for inmates.
Agricultural and Environmental Roles
To promote sustainability and self-sufficiency, the Kenya Prisons Service is recruiting Animal Health Officers, Horticultural Officers, and Agricultural Officers. These professionals will oversee agricultural initiatives within prisons, fostering food security and providing inmates with valuable skills for reintegration into society.
Creative and Design Roles
The inclusion of Interior Designers and Graphic and Product Designers highlights the service’s interest in modernizing its facilities and creating aesthetically pleasing environments that support rehabilitation. These roles will contribute to innovative design solutions for both functional and rehabilitative purposes.
Specialized Services
The recruitment also encompasses unique roles such as Hairdressers, reflecting the service’s holistic approach to inmate welfare by providing grooming services that boost self-esteem. Laboratory Technologists will support diagnostic capabilities, while Public Health Officers will ensure compliance with health and sanitation standards.
Interview Process and Requirements
Candidates shortlisted for the interviews are required to attend on the specific dates and times assigned to their names. The Kenya Prisons Service emphasizes punctuality, as the interview schedule is tightly organized to accommodate the large number of applicants. Prospective candidates must bring the following original documents to the interviews:
- National Identification Card
- Birth Certificate
- KRA PIN Certificate
- Academic Certificates
- Other relevant testimonials
These documents are necessary to verify the candidates’ identities and qualifications, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process. Candidates whose names do not appear on the shortlist are considered unsuccessful and are advised not to attend the interviews.
The Kenya Prisons Service has also issued a public advisory to guard against fraud. The interviews will exclusively take place at the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru, and any claims of alternative venues or processes should be reported as criminal activities. This measure aims to protect candidates from exploitation and maintain the integrity of the recruitment process.
Training and Career Development
Successful candidates will embark on an intensive government-sponsored paramilitary training program, a critical component of their onboarding process. The training duration varies by role:
- Technicians and Artisans: A minimum of nine months
- Professional Cadet Officers: A minimum of thirteen months
This paramilitary training is designed to equip recruits with the discipline, skills, and knowledge required to serve effectively within the Kenya Prisons Service. It covers areas such as security protocols, rehabilitation techniques, and operational procedures, ensuring that all recruits are well-prepared for the demands of their roles. The extended training period for Professional Cadet Officers reflects the additional leadership and administrative responsibilities they will undertake.
The training program also aligns with the Kenya Prisons Service’s broader mission of transforming correctional facilities into centers of rehabilitation and reform. By investing in the professional development of its staff, the service aims to foster a workforce capable of implementing progressive policies and programs that benefit both inmates and society.
Commitment to Transparency and Public Trust
The Kenya Prisons Service’s announcement reflects its commitment to transparency and fairness in the recruitment process. By publishing the shortlist in major newspapers and clearly outlining the interview process, the service ensures that all eligible candidates have equal access to opportunities. The warning against fraudulent interviews further demonstrates its dedication to protecting public trust and maintaining the credibility of the recruitment exercise.
The inclusion of over 1,200 shortlisted candidates across 46 roles highlights the scale and ambition of this recruitment drive. It signals the Kenya Prisons Service’s determination to address staffing needs while diversifying its workforce to include a wide range of expertise. This approach not only strengthens the service’s operational capacity but also supports its vision of creating a modern, rehabilitative correctional system.
List of Applicants
As the Kenya Prisons Service prepares to conduct interviews from June 10 to June 13, 2025, the shortlisted candidates represent a pool of talent poised to contribute to the service’s transformative goals. The recruitment drive is a testament to the service’s proactive efforts to address emerging challenges in the correctional system, from healthcare and infrastructure to vocational training and inmate rehabilitation.
Candidates are encouraged to prepare thoroughly for the interviews, ensuring they bring all required documents and arrive on time. The Kenya Prisons Service wishes all shortlisted applicants success in the interview process and looks forward to welcoming the next generation of professionals, technicians, and artisans to its ranks.
For further information or to verify the shortlist, candidates and the public are advised to refer to official communications from the Kenya Prisons Service or contact the Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru. This recruitment marks a pivotal moment in the service’s journey toward excellence, and the selected candidates will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Kenya’s correctional system.
