Adopt AI and other modern technologies for better correctional services, Kindiki urges

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged the accelerated adoption of advanced technologies in the management of correctional services. According to the DP, Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies present optimal solutions for enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency. "Artificial intelligence, data analytics, secure digital communication and other emerging technologies present substantial opportunities to refine strategic planning, pinpoint service delivery deficiencies, facilitate rehabilitation programs and allocate resources more judiciously," Kindiki pointed out.

On Tuesday, he inaugurated the 4th Correctional Service Week in Nairobi, emphasizing the necessity for technology-driven creativity grounded in legal compliance and tempered with responsible innovation. "Technological adoption in correctional institutions must be carried out responsibly. Innovation within these institutions must uphold human dignity, safeguard personal data, prevent discrimination and preserve the rights and welfare of individuals under correctional supervision," he emphasized.

To prevent technological advancements from undermining existing frameworks, Prof. Kindiki urged the State Department of Correctional Services to harmonize its digital initiatives with the National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, the National E-Commerce Strategy 2023, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, and other relevant cybersecurity and data-protection regulations.

Additionally, he challenged the Department to integrate its digital efforts with a concentrated emphasis on providing pro-social services such as education, vocational training, psychosocial support, restorative justice, family involvement, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. "Our correctional institutions must therefore evolve into not only centers of rehabilitation, but also hubs for skill development, innovation, and sustainable production," he asserted.

To align with the Week's theme: 'Transforming Correctional Services through Technology and Green Solutions', the Deputy President underscored the importance of employing environmentally friendly strategies in service delivery within correctional facilities across the country. "Renewable energy, water harvesting and conservation, efficient waste management, climate-smart agriculture, tree planting, and environmentally responsible infrastructure should be embraced comprehensively.

I urge you to cultivate productive farms, bolster irrigation and agricultural mechanization, promote appropriate waste-recycling initiatives, and expand the utilization of clean energy," DP concluded.