The Maraga Report has revealed allegations of corruption within the Kenya Prisons Service, including claims that some rogue officers work with inmates in phone scams, fraud and drug trafficking.

The report was released on Monday by former Chief Justice David Maraga. It was prepared by the National Taskforce on Police Reforms, which President William Ruto appointed three years ago.

The task force said corruption affects many parts of the prison service, from recruitment and promotions to deployment, transfers, procurement and the issuing of stores. “The Taskforce was informed that corruption deeply permeates every aspect of KPS from recruitment, promotions, deployment, transfers to procurement and issuance of stores,” the report read in part.

It also reported claims of nepotism in recruitment. “Such are the levels of nepotism and corruption in recruitment into the KPS that several officers have had their family members employed in the Service.”

According to the report, there were widespread reports that rogue officers and inmates were working together to run phone scams, fraud, petty trade and drug trafficking from prisons. The task force said the claims point to a prison service that has been weakened and is struggling to carry out its correction and rehabilitation role.

Low salaries, poor working and living conditions, old equipment and limited welfare support were identified as some of the reasons for low morale and poor performance among officers.

The report also looked at reforms proposed by the Madoka Committee in 2008, which had examined overcrowding, poor conditions and human rights concerns in correctional facilities. It found that the recommended reforms had been applied in a patchwork manner and that a lack of commitment remained a major barrier to change.

The task force recommended a new vetting exercise within six months of the report’s release to deal with corruption and leadership problems. Former Chief Justice Maraga said the government had not fully carried out the proposed reforms. He called for fair competition and appointments based on merit to improve national security.

The report was submitted to President Ruto on November 16, 2023. Former Chief Justice David Maraga had earlier called on the President to release it, saying he would make it public if that did not happen.