Two individuals have filed an urgent petition in court aiming to halt the ongoing recruitment and promotion processes within the Kenya Prisons Service. They claim the exercises are unconstitutional and risk infringing on their rights.
Petitioners’ Claims
Peter Agoro and Henry Muriithi, the petitioners, have accused the Commissioner General of Prisons, listed as the first respondent, of overseeing flawed promotion and recruitment processes. They argue that these activities are already underway and could be concluded before the court’s next scheduled mention of the case on May 20, 2025.
The court documents, reviewed by Citizen Digital, outline the petitioners’ fears that their rights—and those of other affected parties—may face irreparable harm unless the process is immediately suspended.
Timeline of Events
The petition highlights the following timeline for the disputed activities:
- Promotion Interviews (Station Level): Conducted between April 22 and 25, 2025.
- Regional, Headquarters, and Staff College Interviews: Scheduled for May 5 to 9, 2025.
- External Recruitment: Planned for April 30, 2025, targeting cadet officers, professionals, artisans, and technicians.
The petitioners assert that if the court does not intervene before these dates, it will be too late to address any potential constitutional violations.
Court Response and Current Status
The High Court previously acknowledged the urgency of the case in its directions issued on April 23, 2025. However, the court did not grant interim conservatory orders to suspend the ongoing processes.
The petitioners have since requested a review of the court’s earlier decision, emphasizing the need for swift action to prevent the petition from becoming moot. They argue that hundreds of graduate officers stand to suffer significant violations of their constitutional rights if the court does not halt the exercises immediately.
Legal Implications
This petition underscores growing concerns over transparency and fairness in public service recruitment and promotion processes. As the Kenya Prisons Service moves forward with its activities, the case will test the court’s ability to balance urgency and constitutional oversight.
The next court mention is scheduled for May 20, 2025, a date that could prove pivotal in determining the fate of the disputed promotions and recruitment exercises.
