The Kimani Wamatangi administration has stepped up efforts to strengthen healthcare services within correctional facilities after hosting the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Correctional Services, Salome Beacco, for talks on the operationalisation of the Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Hospital.
The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the county government and the national government to ensure the facility, which was officially launched last month by William Ruto, becomes fully functional and accessible to inmates and surrounding communities.
Speaking after the meeting, Governor Wamatangi said the county government had committed to supporting the hospital through the provision of specialist medical services and essential infrastructure.
Under the agreement, the county will allow specialist doctors to serve at the facility through a scheduled visitation model, ensuring that inmates and residents in nearby areas can access advanced medical care without travelling long distances.
“The county government will support the hospital by facilitating specialist doctors to conduct regular visits and offer critical services to patients at the facility,” said the governor.
The leaders also discussed improving water access at the hospital to ensure smooth operations. The county government pledged to facilitate a water connection to the facility, while both the county and the Prisons Department agreed to collaborate in drilling a borehole to strengthen water supply.
In addition, the partnership will extend to improving infrastructure at the nearby Kiambu G.K Prison, where the two levels of government are considering the installation of solar-powered street lighting to enhance security and visibility within the facility.
Beyond healthcare and infrastructure, the meeting also explored ways of promoting rehabilitation and community service among offenders.
Governor Wamatangi and PS Beacco discussed the possibility of utilising petty offenders sentenced to community service to undertake manual work within the county. The proposed programme would see such offenders engaged in activities such as cleaning public spaces and unclogging drainage systems.
The initiative, according to the leaders, would not only support county sanitation efforts but also offer offenders an opportunity to contribute positively to society while serving their sentences.
Officials noted that the collaboration reflects the growing partnership between county governments and national institutions aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing rehabilitation programmes and strengthening public infrastructure.
Once fully operational, the Wanini Kireri Magereza Level IV Hospital is expected to significantly boost healthcare services within correctional facilities in Kiambu County while also benefiting residents living near the prison complex.
