Senior Economic Advisor at State House, Moses Kuria, has raised serious concerns over widespread allegations of corruption in the recent Kenya Prisons Service recruitment, claiming that some candidates had to pay bribes as high as Ksh500,000 to secure jobs.
The recruitment, which was conducted on April 30, aimed to bring in new cadet officers, technicians, artisans, and prison constables to strengthen Kenya’s correctional services.
Both male and female applicants aged between 18 and 30 years were invited to apply, and many hopeful young Kenyans turned out in large numbers for the chance to join the service.
However, Kuria has now come forward with disturbing allegations that the process was tainted by bribery and corruption, making it inaccessible to deserving but financially challenged applicants. He termed the situation morally wrong and deeply troubling.
“I am receiving deeply disturbing reports that candidates selected for the Kenya Prisons Wardens positions had to pay bribes of up to Ksh500,000. This is not just unfair—it is immoral and unacceptable,” Kuria posted on social media.
💸 Widespread Bribery Claims Surface Online
His remarks echo the sentiments of many frustrated parents and applicants who have turned to social media platforms to voice their pain and share heartbreaking stories.
Some revealed how they had been deceived by corrupt recruitment officers, who demanded large sums of money in exchange for promises of guaranteed admission into the training program.
One parent recounted a shocking case where six families each paid Ksh250,000 to a recruiter who claimed he could secure positions for their children.
“My friend gave Ksh250,000 for his son to get into the service. There were six parents involved—each paying the same amount.
One of the sons received an admission letter, which made everyone believe it was genuine,” the parent shared.
The officer reportedly promised to pick up all six recruits from Land Mawe in Nairobi for training. The families were told to prepare shopping worth Ksh25,000 and wait for transport to Ruiru, where a nine-month training program was scheduled to take place.
But on the agreed date and time, the officer switched off his phone, and none of the promised arrangements materialized, leaving families angry, stranded, and heartbroken.
🛑 Kuria Calls for Accountability and Action
Moses Kuria did not hold back in condemning the corrupt practices, warning that individuals responsible would face consequences.
“This is criminal. People cannot continue exploiting the desperation of our youth for personal gain. We will not allow this kind of rot to continue,” he emphasized.
The issue of bribery in government job recruitments is not new in Kenya. Over the years, many Kenyans have come forward with similar complaints involving unfair practices, nepotism, and exploitation.
The Ministry of Interior had earlier committed to curbing corruption in police and prison recruitments by implementing online application systems and more transparent processes—but the effectiveness of these reforms is now in question.
🤐 Kenya Prisons Yet to Respond
Despite the uproar from citizens and a top government advisor, the Kenya Prisons Service has so far remained silent, offering no official statement on the allegations or plans to investigate the matter.
This silence has fueled further anger and suspicion from the public, who are demanding swift action and accountability.
⚖️ The Call for Reform
Moses Kuria’s bold statement has once again brought to light the urgent need for systemic reforms in government recruitment processes.
Many Kenyans are calling for an independent probe into the Prisons Service recruitment exercise, with hopes that justice will be served and merit-based hiring will finally be prioritized.
As the dust continues to rise over the scandal, young job seekers and their families are left disillusioned, questioning whether fairness and integrity still exist in public service recruitment.
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